Seems like Apple starts shipping first HomePods

After Apple’s HomePod missed its December 2017 ship date due to an eleventh-hour delay, the smart speaker is now beginning to ship from one of its two assemblers.

According to the report, the HomePod’s delay is attributable to “fine-tuning of software and hardware integration,” a presumably critical final step for a speaker featuring Apple’s Siri as its voice-controlled AI assistant.

HomePod suppliers reportedly received a shipment notice from Apple at the beginning of January, leading them to believe the HomePod will hit stores soon.

Apple has provided only an “available early 2018” time frame for the HomePod’s release in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

I’m super excited to try it, may be a real competitor to Alexa / Google Assistant 🤔

https://venturebeat.com/2018/01/17/apple-homepod-supplier-reportedly-ships-first-units-software-integration-blamed-for-delay/