Apple's HomePod to Miss Holiday Opportunity, Now Slated to Ship Early 2018

Smart speaker makers got an early Christmas present Friday when Apple said it’s delaying shipment of the Siri-enabled HomePod speaker, originally slated for December delivery. The website tells consumers it will now be available in early 2018, leaving a wider opening for lower cost audio company competitors including JBL’s Link 20 ($199), Microsoft and Harman Kardon’s Invoke ($199) and the Sonos One with Alexa ($199). The $349 HomePod will ship initially to the U.S., U.K. and Australia, Verge reported. Apple didn’t comment.