Apple’s Siri-equipped HomePod smart speaker will be available starting Feb. 9, the company announced Tuesday. Preorders for the $349 device begin Jan. 26.
The HomePod is Apple’s entry into the highly competitive smart speaker space, first popularized by the Amazon Echo, later joined by the Google Home. At $349, the HomePod is far pricer than many rival devices — the cheapest Echo, the Echo Dot, can be had for about $49. But Apple is pitching the device as a high-end home speaker more akin to devices like the Sonos PLAY lineup, although with voice-activated capabilities thanks to Siri integration.
The Apple HomePod is available in white and spacey gray colors, and is compatible with a wide range of iPhone and iPad models. It also works with Apple Music, Apple’s subscription-based music service that’s a rival to Spotify.
Apple’s HomePod release date announcement comes after the device was delayed last year, missing the crucial holiday shopping season.
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