Day One HomePod Pre-Orders in U.S. Beat Out Most Other Smart Speaker Pre-Orders

[MacRumors]

First day pre-orders for the HomePod, which became available late last month, were higher than day one pre-orders for several other smart speakers including the Sonos One and the Google Home Max in the United States.

The data was shared by NPD Group and was gathered using NPD's Checkout service, which tracks consumer purchase behavior across multiple retailers.

According to the data, HomePod beat out all other smart speaker first day pre-orders with the exception of the Amazon Echo Dot.

Though HomePod pre-orders reportedly outsold other smart speaker pre-orders, NPD Group did not provide data on how many HomePod pre-orders Apple sold in comparison to smart speakers from other manufacturers, so while interesting, the data here doesn't offer up a look at just how well the HomePod did.

We haven't seen any real estimates of how well the HomePod did following its launch, but Apple's next earnings call should give us a bit of insight. Apple won't break out HomePod sales, but changes to the "Other" category in the company's earnings report may provide hints.

The Other category includes products like the Apple TV, Apple Watch, AirPods, iPod, Beats, and other Apple-branded and third-party accessories. Going forward, it will also include the HomePod.

While we don't know how many HomePods Apple has sold to date, the device did stay in stock and readily available for days after it became available for pre-order on January 26. In fact, HomePod was available for launch day delivery through February 7, just a couple of days before the HomePod's official February 9 launch.

Data on HomePod sales may not be available, but analyst Gene Munster with Loop Ventures recently predicted HomePod will capture 12 percent of global smart speaker unit share in 2018, with estimated unit sales of 7 million.

Article Link: Day One HomePod Pre-Orders in U.S. Beat Out Most Other Smart Speaker Pre-Orders

 

[cknibbs]

I love ours... and I had them delivered to the boarder and went and picked them up since they aren’t available in Canada yet.

 

[cansuds]

I do not pay to record the voice of my house to someone else

 

[autrefois]

I guess you could say HomePod runs rings around the competition...

 

[timborama]

LOL, “most others”. More than some, less than others. Now that’s real investigative reporting.

 

[EvilEvil]

LOL. What other smart speakers were available to pre-order at the time?

 

[FasterQuieter]

Makes sense. I bet day 2 sales weren't quite as amazing.

 

[Royksöpp]

"I'm super excited to pre order my brand new smart speaker." -said no one ever

 

[atomic781]

Another overpriced product lacking connectivity , 2 steps behind the competitors. the string of flops is adding up.

 

[Wsidewarrior07]

Yeah.... Was going to, but I have a much better experience with my iPhone /Google Home Mini combo... Homepod is leaving much to be desired.... but what do you expect from a computer company that asks "What's a computer?" smh..

 

[BMcCoy]

The great thing is that I don’t need sales figures to validate my own purchase of the HomePod.

I bought one.
I like it.

And ermm... that’s it, really.

 

[Strelok]

Another overpriced product lacking connectivity , 2 steps behind the competitors. the string of flops is adding up.

That's cute, but your opinion doesn't dictate whether it's successful or not.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Though HomePod pre-orders reportedly outsold other smart speaker pre-orders, NPD Group did not provide data on how many HomePod pre-orders Apple sold in comparison to smart speakers from other manufacturers, so while interesting, the data here doesn't offer up a look at just how well the HomePod did.

So why was this even posted on MR?

 

[Bonte]

I'm eager to get one when available in my language, i dumped my low-end stereo system a long time ago for a iPod HiFI and never looked back as i'm not a audio guy. I'm going to place the Home Pod on top of my hifi for the extra nerdy look.

 

[polterbyte]

Another overpriced product lacking connectivity , 2 steps behind the competitors. the string of flops is adding up.

Doom! Gloom! Aaaaaaaaahhh!!!

 

[Baymowe335]

Since people decided not to read the article, it sold better than every pre-order speakers besides the Echo Dot, which isn't surprising because the Dot is so cheap.

HomePod is already doing better than many here thought.

 

[Mark Booth]

I do not pay to record the voice of my house to someone else

Your comment demonstrates a lack of understanding of how the whole process works.

Mark

 

[cansuds]

Your comment demonstrates a lack of understanding of how the whole process works.

Mark

Do you have any information?

 

[Mark Booth]

I love ours... and I had them delivered to the boarder and went and picked them up since they aren’t available in Canada yet.

We love ours too. We will be buying 3-4 more when stereo pairing and AirPlay 2 come along.

Mark

 

[The Game 161]

Another overpriced product lacking connectivity , 2 steps behind the competitors. the string of flops is adding up.

Good job what you class as a flop isn't reality.

 

[Ds6778]

I feel like this whole article is supposed to vindicate the slow adoption rate of the HomePod.

 

[donster28]

Do you have any information?

The HomePod only responds to "Hey Siri"...it doesn't record anything around it and Apple themselves do not collect or record any voice interaction from the HomePod.

 

[Mark Booth]

Do you have any information?

HomePods only listen for the "Hey, Siri" command. Until that command is issued a HomePod doesn't keep nor send ANYTHING else. Its microphones are "deaf" to everything except Hey, Siri. Only after you've said Hey, Siri does the HomePod then begin a connection with the outside world. And everything you say after Hey, Siri is sent in encrypted form to Apple's servers and it is NOT retained. Once Siri responds with an answer (which is also sent encrypted) or by playing the music you asked for the command you issued is forgotten.

So, Apple's servers aren't recording (saving) anything except the type of music you like (which is stored encrypted). Your musical preferences are tracked to improve Siri's ability to play or recommend the type of music you'd most likely enjoy.

Mark

 

[donster28]

Another overpriced product lacking connectivity , 2 steps behind the competitors. the string of flops is adding up.

Owning it since launch I can honestly say to you that it is an awesome piece of tech. The bass on this thing is astonishing for its size even at a lower volume and being able to summon Siri even when the music is blasting from it (even way across my room) is amazing. Having a million+ songs at my disposal on a single command is super convenient.

Yes, it's categorized as one of those smart speakers, but when you're able to actually use and hear it, you'll start realizing how different it is.

 

[Heineken]

Only regret i have is that i didn't bring 2 when i was in London.