9to5 Mac reports today that analysts at GBH Insights are saying that Apple’s HomePod smart speaker is finally due to launch within the next 4 to 6 weeks. However, GBH says that Apple faces an “uphill climb” in the crowded smart speaker field, for two reasons in particular.
Firstly, GBH Insights says that Amazon’s highly competitive pricing for its Amazon Echo speaker over the holiday period has helped to further cement the smart speaker as the leader of the home smart speaker market. GBH estimates that the Echo has a 75% market share following the holiday period.
Secondly, GBH says that Google is investing big money in the marketing campaign for its own Google Home speakers at CES in particular.
Apple’s eagerly awaited HomePod will, of course, be aimed at the higher end of the market, and GBH says that by releasing it as soon as possible in 2018, Apple will be able to take advantage of a “pivotal window of opportunity for Cook & Co. to establish their presence in this green field smart speaker market which could be a ‘gate opener’ to other consumer products/functionality further down the road.”
Source: GBH says HomePod launch expected in next 4-6 weeks, but faces an ‘uphill climb’
