Apple has its work cut out for it in beefing up HomePod sales. Canalys expects the smart speaker installed base will approach the 100-million barrier by the end of this year, making it almost 2.5 times bigger than at the end of 2017.
The research group says the installed base will keep growing, more than doubling in size to reach 225 million units by 2020. Amazon Echo devices will account for over 50% of the installed base in 2018, while Google’s Home series will account for 30%. Apple’s HomePod models will trail, accounting for a “meager” 4% of the 2018 base, according to Canalys.
“The US is the world leader in smart speaker adoption,” says Canalys Research Analyst Vincent Thielke. “Amazon and Google know the power of an ecosystem lock-in and have been engaged in a fierce price war to try and build the largest installed base.
China is still a nascent market for smart speakers, but it is a sleeping giant, adds Canalys Research Analyst Hattie He. Local players, such as Alibaba and Xiaomi, are investing heavily, she adds.
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