According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is considering launching a lower-priced HomePod model to combat declining sales of the speaker.
Ming-Chi Kuo is blaming the slow growth of HomePod to “an uninspiring user experience with the voice assistant function, Siri, compared to competitors” and the speakers high price-point despite excellent sound quality.
While the report doesn’t share any details on what can be expected by a “low-cost” HomePod speaker, it’s possible Apple could reduce the overall size of the unit for more convenient placing around the home. Earlier in the week The Apple Post reported that Apple is slowing HomePod production due to weak sales growth since the release of the speaker back in January.
It’s believed Apple is reducing its shipment forecast for the second quarter of 2018 from 500,000 units to 200,000 units. – The report shares data provided by Slice Intelligence who claim some Apple Store locations are “selling fewer than 10 HomePods a day.”
Reports from Taiwan’s Economic Daily News are claiming Apple could launch their lower-priced HomePod between $150-$200 to compete with the Amazon Echo and Google Home which are priced significantly cheeper than the current HomePod.
