Apple said on Friday that it will discontinue the original HomePod smart speaker and focus instead on the smaller, more affordable and newer HomePod mini.
The original HomePod was launched in 2018, but never reached the mass market as did competing products such as Amazon Echo or Google Home smart speakers. While the HomePod was praised for its high-quality sound, it was also released for $ 349, which was much more expensive than the Echo or Google Home it competed with. Apple reduced the price to $ 300 a year later.
Apple HomePod Mini
Todd Haselton | CNBC
HomePod mini was launched in November last year and, at $ 99, is among the best sounds of its size. This is the model Apple says it will continue to sell.
“The HomePod mini has been a success since its debut last fall, giving customers amazing sound, a smart assistant and smart home control for just $ 99,” an Apple spokesman told CNBC on Friday. “We focus our efforts on the HomePod mini. We discontinue the original HomePod, it will continue to be available until the expiration of the supply through the Apple online store, Apple Retail stores and Apple authorized distributors. Apple will provide HomePod customers with software and service updates and support through Apple Care. “
The news was first reported by TechCrunch.