We learned about Apple's initiative to launch its speaker with built-in Siri, at the last developer convention, held in June 2017. After the summer, the company announced that it would be delayed to market, as it was improving the speaker of the company and according to its website, we will see the Apple speaker in the first months of 2018, at least in the US.
Much debate has sparked the HomePod lag, and whether Apple is late in this speaker market. Well a study reveals that Apple will arrive at the right time, at the height of the market.
According to the study, 2018 may be the year of smart speakers and with certain features, such as the HomePod. The study developed by NPR and Edison Research, reveals among other functions that one in six Americans has a smart speaker, but this figure has increased by 128% compared to January 2017.
The leader of the American market is Amazon Echo with 11%. Next we have Google Home, with a 4% share. This Christmas, one in ten citizens have bought a speaker. In this figure, those who renew a speaker or buy a second speaker prevail. Although those who acquire the Apple speaker for the first time are also significant.
Buyers buy a speaker that gives them more than just the device they usually play music on. That it provides them with more content and distracts them in front of family and friends. At the same time, the study reveals that 44% of those who purchased a smart speaker, use Siri more since then.
Therefore, everything seems to indicate that Apple comes at the right time: people are beginning to know the advantages of a smart speaker and their discoveries are shared with those closest to them. Even so, We are at an initial moment, and Apple thinks that those who join at this time, can obtain great results: most don't have a smart speaker, and this is in a huge market that may require a smart speaker for years to come.
Something similar happened with the Apple Watch, where for many Apple was late. Years later it has been shown that the Apple watch is the best-selling Smartwatch.