Apple pushes HomePod smart speaker launch date to early 2018

**Apple Inc** has pushed the launch of its HomePod smart speaker to early next year from December, the company said on Friday. [caption id=“attachment_3997077” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Apple’s HomePod. Reuters.[/caption] “We can’t wait for people to experience **HomePod** … but we need a little more time before it’s ready for our customers. We’ll start shipping in the US, UK and Australia in early 2018,” an Apple spokeswoman said via email. Apple introduced the voice-controlled HomePod in June. The speaker, which can make music suggestions and adjust home temperatures, takes aim at Amazon.com Inc’s **Alexa** feature and Echo devices.