Apple Delays Launch of HomePod Smart Speaker Until 2018

[Maura]

If you’ve been planning to buy Apple’s Siri-driven HomePod smart speaker this holiday season, then unfortunately you’re going to be disappointed, as Apple has announced today in the following statement that it has pushed the HomePod release date back to the beginning of 2018.

“We can’t wait for people to experience HomePod, Apple’s breakthrough wireless speaker for the home, but we need a little more time before it’s ready for our customers. We’ll start shipping in the US, UK, and Australia in early 2018.”

When the HomePod was first unveiled by Apple back at its WWDC in June, it was expected to be released in December (and in fact the official Apple website still says “Available December,” but now it will be shipping in January at the earliest.

Apple did not reveal the specific reason why it had decided to delay the launch of the smart speaker, but it could have something to do with perfecting AirPlay 2, which is a big part of HomePod.

Source: Apple delaying HomePod smart speaker launch until next year