Apple’s HomePod accounts for 5% of the estimated smart speaker installed base in the United States in the second quarter of 2019, according to new data shared today by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP).
Amazon continues to be the number one smart speaker vendor in the U.S., followed by Google. Amazon Echo devices accounted for 70 percent of smart speakers in the United States during the quarter, while Google Home devices accounted for 25 percent.
The smart speaker market has seen strong growth, with the U.S. installed base of 76 million speakers up nine percent from 70 million units in the March 2019 quarter. Growth is also up significantly compared to last June, when there were an estimated 50 million smart speakers in the United States.
Most people who own smart speakers have less expensive models like the Echo Dot and the Google Home Mini, with these units accounting for more than 50 percent of smart speakers in the U.S. during the quarter.
MacDailyNews Take: Obviously, Apple does not play in the low-end $50 so-called “smart speaker” market, so an estimated 5% share, comprised of the very best customers, those with disposable income and the proven will to spend it (and those most likely to subscribe to things like Apple Music), is better than it sounds (especially with very little to no real marketing for HomePod).