Apple delays launch of smart speaker
苹果计划推迟自家智能扬声器的发布时间
Apple is delaying the release of its HomePod smart speaker until 2018.
苹果计划将自家智能音箱HomePod的发行时间推迟到2018年。
The electronics giant said the device, which was due to be released in December this year, still needed development work.
电子巨头苹果近日称，本计划于今年12月份发行的智能音箱需要更多的开发时间。
It said the HomePod would be ready to go on shop shelves in the US, UK and Australia "early in 2018".
官方称HomePod计划在“2018年早些时候”面向美国、英国和澳大利亚市场发布。
The news is a blow to its plans to take on rivals Amazon and Google in the growing market for home devices that use AI to help consumers.
这个消息对于苹果来讲是个打击：它本计划与亚马逊和谷歌在这个愈渐扩大的智能家居市场中依靠人工智能技术展开竞争并造福消费者。
'Not surprising'
“并不意外”
In a statement sent to news organisations, Apple said the wireless speaker needed "a little more time before it's ready for our customers".
苹果的新闻稿称这款无线扬声器需要“更晚些时候才能面见消费者。”
The delay will mean Apple misses the lucrative holiday season during which many consumers buy gadgets as gifts.
这个延迟意味着苹果将错失节前购物季：消费者习惯假期前购买些小配件作为礼物。
The gadget was first unveiled in June this year when Apple said it would go on sale in the US for $349 (£265). In the UK it was expected to cost £350.
这款设备于今年六月首次与公众见面，苹果称它在美国的定价为349美元（265英镑）。在英国的售价预期为350英镑。
It was designed to be a competitor to other smart speakers - such as Amazon's Echo and Google's Assistant. Sonos, Microsoft and others also make similar gadgets.
它的设计初衷也是与其他智能扬声器开展竞争，比如亚马逊的Echo和谷歌的助手Sonos、微软及其它公司开发的类似配件。
Like them it was designed to play music and act as a hands-free helper letting owners set timers, maintain shopping lists and get reports about the news, weather and other subjects.
一如其它智能扬声器，它可以解放用户的双手播放音乐、设定时间、存储购物清单、收听新闻、天气预报及其他主题的信息。
Since Apple unveiled the HomePod both Google and Amazon have added new models to their ranges of smart speakers, intensifying the competition with Apple.
自从苹果发布了HomePod的相关信息，谷歌和亚马逊就对自己的智能扬声器增加了新的模式以加强自家产品与苹果的竞争力。
Writing in Engadget, associate editor Jon Fingle said the delay was "not surprising" given that the HomePod was Apple's first try at a smart speaker.
瘾科技公司副主编乔恩称该“延迟”“一点也不意外”。因为HomePod是苹果公司涉足智能扬声器研发领域的第一次试水产品。
"The HomePod isn't necessarily in trouble," he said. "but it may face a tougher battle than it did beforehand."
“HomePod并不是开发遇到了困难，”他说。“不过他未来也确实要面对更残酷的战场了。”
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