HomePod delay.  Apple to miss out on smart speakers sales this Christmas?

We’ve been pretty keen to see the full force of Apple’s new HomePod smart speakers since the reveal mid-year, but it looks like we are going to be waiting until the new year to experience them.

An Apple spokewoman said “We need a little more time before it’s ready for our customers”.

HomePod delay, are Google & Amazon to benefit?

This of course means that Apple will miss out on a huge amount of Christmas sales that would have come from the availability of the HomePod in their stated release date of December.

It looks like Google and Amazon get to reap the rewards in this category financially for this year.

We have seen mixed emotions about Apple’s new smart speakers. Here’s our first glimpse.  Sure, the 360-degree sound, Siri integration and clean aesthetics make it “sound” and look good, but the price of the HomePod has been a huge talking point when compared to Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

We found that the price could possibly be justified because of the sound quality, and that the HomePod was designed as a new music centre for your home. The price we’re talking about, is of course $350USD (500AUD, 250GBP) – Which is clearly not cheap, but then again, have we ever considered any Apple product cheap? We’re already too deep in love with Apple to even care about the price!

The fact that Apple have pushed back their release date for the HomePod means that Google and Amazon are free to indulge in the huge amount of sales they will experience over this holiday season. As voice, as a technology is becoming more and more popular, and will surely be the go-to search method (and many other things) in the years to come.   Apple might be hurt quite bad from missing out on these Christmas sales.  Although we will not know any figures until we’ve all indulged in so much food, drank plenty of bubbles and celebrated time with family and move into the new year.

HomePod delay, will Apple recoup?

One thing that may help Apple recoup some possible losses in missing out on Christmas sales would be the HomePod’s functions with additional HomePod’s in the home.  We all know there are many of Apple fanatics who will buy multiple HomePod’s.

At the end of the day, if an Apple enthusiasts, or even just a smart speaker enthusiasts really has their heart set out on an Apple.