{"id":375395,"date":"2017-11-19T08:45:17","date_gmt":"2017-11-19T08:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=375395"},"modified":"2017-11-19T08:45:17","modified_gmt":"2017-11-19T08:45:17","slug":"apple-delays-launch-of-smart-speaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2017\/11\/apple-delays-launch-of-smart-speaker\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple delays launch of smart speaker"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apple is delaying the release of its HomePod smart speaker until 2018.<\/p>\n

The electronics giant said the device, which was due to be released in December this year, still needed development work.<\/p>\n

It said the HomePod would be ready to go on shop shelves in the US, UK and Australia “early in 2018”.<\/p>\n

The news is a blow to its plans to take on rivals Amazon and Google in the growing market for home devices that use AI to help consumers.<\/p>\n

‘Not surprising’<\/h2>\n

In a statement sent to news organisations, Apple said the wireless speaker needed “a little more time before it’s ready for our customers”.<\/p>\n

The delay will mean Apple misses the lucrative holiday season during which many consumers buy gadgets as gifts.<\/p>\n

The gadget was first unveiled in June this year when Apple said it would go on sale in the US for $349 (\u00a3265). In the UK it was expected to cost \u00a3350.<\/p>\n

It was designed to be a competitor to other smart speakers – such as Amazon’s Echo and Google’s Assistant. Sonos, Microsoft and others also make similar gadgets.<\/p>\n

Like them it was designed to play music and act as a hands-free helper letting owners set timers, maintain shopping lists and get reports about the news, weather and other subjects.<\/p>\n

Since Apple unveiled the HomePod both Google and Amazon have added new models to their ranges of smart speakers, intensifying the competition with Apple.<\/p>\n

Writing in Engadget,\u00a0associate editor Jon Fingle said the delay was “not surprising”\u00a0given that the HomePod was Apple’s first try at a smart speaker.<\/p>\n

“The HomePod isn’t necessarily in trouble,” he said. “but it may face a tougher battle than it did beforehand.”<\/p>\n

–<\/p>\n

Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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