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Apple today cut the price of HomePod on its online store by $50, with the smart speaker now listed for $299, down from $349. The price drop follows recent promotional discounts at several third-party retailers across the U.S.

homepod-on-shelf-800x579.jpg

Similar price reductions have also appeared in other regions and territories on Thursday, with the price of a HomePod in the United Kingdom falling from £319 to £279, for instance.

Apple's expensive HomePod speaker accounted for just six percent of the U.S. smart speaker installed base through the fourth quarter of 2018, according to a February report.

Research firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners estimates that the U.S. installed base of smart speakers reached 66 million units last quarter of 2018, suggesting HomePod sales in the country totaled around 3.96 million units since the speaker became available to order in January 2018. Apple does not disclose exact HomePod sales figures.

By comparison, the Amazon Echo and Google Home reportedly accounted for 70 percent and 24 percent of the installed base respectively, with both products proving to be popular holiday gifts.

In April 2018, well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple was "mulling" a "low-cost version" of the HomePod, potentially due to shipments of the current version being "far below market expectations." A report out of China said the lower-cost HomePod could be priced between $150 and $200 in the United States.

Article Link: Apple Drops HomePod Price to $299, Down From $349
 
Others here will list as a ‘flop’ now because Apple dropped the price. Anyone that’s experienced the HomePod, knows exactly what this speaker is capable of producing in terms of quality sound. I don’t regret purchasing mine for the Original $350 price point.
 
Price cut in the UK too...

Now £279
(Previously £319)

Edit: sorry, just seen this mentioned in the first post already.
 
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Reactions: Dave245
Or, they could just keep the same price, add a jack & allow any audio to be bluetoothed to it, I don't think the price is the main issue.;)

Actually, I would argue it’s the opposite. Price is a concern with the HomePod for the majority, simply because they don’t probably want to spend that type of money for a ‘smart speaker’, (even though it’s a music player first). The competition is stiff with Google and Amazon, but it’s more about the sound that the HomePod boasts than any other feature.
 
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No offense but -$50 from Apple is like Ramen giving you a free noodle with every package purchased haha!

I just laughed out loud in the office. Thanks

I don't get it - In Germany now 329€ from 349€ - Would have been tempted with 299€ - don't understand why they don't cut the same like in the US or UK

Also from a marketing point of view it basically makes no difference. If you glance over you wouldn’t even notice the difference I am sure. 299€ on the other hand already appears cheaper than a price starting with 3...
 
Actually, I would argue it’s the opposite. Price is the problem with the HomePod for the majority, simply because they don’t probably want to spend that type of money for a ‘smart speaker’, (even though it’s a music player first). The competition is stiff with Google and Amazon, but it’s more about the sound that the HomePod boasts than any other feature.

None of the Amazon devices are comparable - the sound is not great at all on them - they do have Sonos though. Which is a great choice. The google Max is comparable or even better - but it's 3x the size and well... GoogleSpying on you ;)

For playing music and controlling my home the Homepod work great - the Mic Will pick me up whispering "Hey siri Lights on" when it's belting out at full volume. But do wish it had more Activation words like Echo...
 
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