“Apple has some real headwinds when it comes to the HomePod’s ability to gain market share,” Tim Bajarin writes for PC Magazine. “However, if Apple can sell a projected 5-6 million in calendar 2018, it could end the year making the most money and profit in this market segment.”
“In my home, I’ve been using Amazon’s Echo and Echo Dot, the Google Home Mini, and Apple’s new HomePod for getting information, playing music on demand, ordering stuff online, and controlling lights and other connected devices around the house,” Bajarin writes. “By far, the best device I have is Apple’s HomePod for its superior sound quality and ease of use with compatible devices; I have also found Siri surprisingly accurate.”
“Going forward, Apple needs to follow what its rivals have done and create a mini HomePod,” Bajarin writes. “In my house, I have smart speakers in my bedroom, study, and even the master bathroom. Apple could stand out with high-quality speakers in a HomePod Mini. I’d be willing to pay $99 for a HomePod Mini if the speaker quality was at least four times better than what’s on Echo Dot and Home Mini. The battle to control the smart home will go through the smart speaker. ”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We expect Apple has plans to move down market eventually. For now, HomePod is doing what Apple does: It’s taking the high end of the market; meaning the type of customers who have the means and the will to deck their homes out with smart lights, smart locks, etc. and leaving rivals to compete amongst themselves for the less desirable customers (see iPhone vs. Android).
Once they finally get something shipping in quantity, it’ll be fun to watch how quickly Apple takes the top end of the market away from Amazon’s Echo since Apple’s solution will certainly have unique advantages within Apple’s ecosystem that makes it the obvious choice for Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch users. — MacDailyNews, May 10, 2017
SEE ALSO:
Why Apple’s HomePod targets home entertainment, not a voice-first mobile-free world – March 6, 2018
Apple HomePod hits 3 percent in U.S. market share – February 22, 2018
Here are the Siri commands you’ll use most with your HomePod – February 21, 2018
How to control your home with the HomePod – February 20, 2018
Jean-Louis Gassée: The trouble with Apple HomePod reviews – February 20, 2018
Steve Crandall: Apple’s HomePod is the next big step in home audio – February 13, 2018
Apple HomePod: The audiophile perspective plus 8 1/2 hours of measurements; HomePod is 100% an audiophile-grade speaker – February 12, 2018
Apple’s HomePod is actually a steal at $349 – January 26, 2018
Digital Trends previews Apple’s HomePod: Impressive sound coupled with strong privacy – January 26, 2018
Hands on with Apple’s HomePod: Attractive, ultra-high-quality speaker, an excellent Siri ambassador – January 26, 2018
Apple’s HomePod, the iPod for your home – January 25, 2018
One hour with Apple’s new HomePod smart speaker – January 25, 2018
Apple’s iOS 11.3 beta delivers AirPlay 2 with multi-room playback – January 25, 2018
How Apple is positioning the HomePod and why – January 24, 2018
How I got talked into buying an Apple HomePod despite my reservations – January 24, 2018
Tim Cook says audio quality puts HomePod ahead of ‘squeaky-sounding’ competition – January 24, 2018
Apple’s HomePod arrives February 9th, available to order this Friday, January 26th – January 23, 2018
Apple delays HomePod release to early 2018 – November 17, 2017
Apple reveals HomePod smart home music speaker – June 5, 2017
