Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) estimates that Apple has sold three million HomePods in the US, and has a ‘small but meaningful’ market share …

The company estimates that between March and June, HomePod saw its share of the smart speaker market roughly double to 6%. This compares with 70% for Amazon Echo and 24% for Google Home.

It took a small share of the market from both Amazon and Google. Still, Amazon has a two-year head start, and Amazon and Google each have a low-priced device that accounts for at least half of unit sales, so it’s not clear how much further Apple can establish itself in the market without a more competitive model.

Market share of course doesn’t mean much here: Amazon’s cheapest Echo device officially retails for just $50, and is regularly on sale at significantly less than this. It’s into impulse purchase territory for many, and others have multiple units spread throughout their home. Indeed, CIRP’s own data shows that almost 35% of Echo owners have between two and four of them.

Apple’s HomePod, in contrast, is a sophisticated speaker system costing $349 – making it a $750 purchase if you want stereo. It’s competing with Sonos and Bose, not Amazon.

The latest iOS 12 beta confirms that the HomePod will be able to make phone calls. If you’re new to the device, there’s an official user guide online.

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