Apple delays release of HomePod speaker until early 2018

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple is scrapping its plan to release its new internet-connected speaker in time for the holiday season.
The delay announced Friday means Apple’s HomePod speaker won’t be available in the U.S., U.K. and Australia until early next year. Apple intended to release the $349 HomePod in early December so it could be on holiday shopping lists and compete against Amazon’s Echo and the Google Home speaker.
Apple now says it needs more time to perfect the spea