After the iMac Pro, Apple also stops selling the HomePod. The company wants to focus more on its smaller brother, the HomePod mini.
News site TechCrunch came with the news that Apple, after the iMac Pro, sales of the larger odHomePod, first introduced four years ago, will also stop. Despite its superior sound quality, the smart home speaker has never sold well due to its high price tag.
When Apple presented the HomePod, the company expected its premium sound quality to give it an edge over the competition. But with so many more affordable options on the market, sales of the HomePod have always been mediocre. The price of the HomePod was 399 euros, but has dropped 329 euros since its introduction. The HomePod mini, on the other hand, is already available in the Netherlands for 119 euros. Just like in many other countries, the HomePod was not or hardly available in the Netherlands.
The HomePod mini offers all the features of the HomePod in a smaller and cheaper package. In many reviews the HomePod mini has been praised for its very good sound quality in relation to its size. Although the mini cannot quite match the sound of its big HomePod brother, it does have the same Siri integration, Apple Music support and HomeKit controls.
While stocks last
In a statement, Apple said the HomePod blijven will remain available through the (US) Apple Online Store and Apple stores while supplies last.
The HomePod mini has been a hit since its debut last fall. The small smart speaker offers customers great sound, an intelligent assistant and HomeKit control for only 129 euros.
We are concentrating our efforts on HomePod mini. We are discontinuing the original “HomePod”, but it will remain available while supplies last through the (US, ed.) Apple Online Store, Apple Retail Stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.
Apple continues to provide HomePod customers with software updates, service and support through Apple Care.
On Thursday, the American consumer noticed that the large HomePod in Space Gray version was not in stock. However, it was then believed that it was just a shortage of supplies. So it now appears that Apple no longer intends to keep the “HomePod” in its range.
The large HomePod, in colors other than white, may still be available for purchase from various online shops, but is no longer available from Apple. If that stock also runs out, it’s over and out for the original HomePod …
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