Apple's launches HomePod smart speaker sales from January 26

[January 23, 2018]  (Reuters) - Apple Inc will start taking online orders for its HomePod smart speaker from Jan. 26 in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, just over a month later than initially planned.

A prototype Apple HomePod is seen during the annual Apple Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in San Jose, California, U.S. June 5, 2017. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

The $349 voice-controlled speaker, introduced in June and originally slated for a December release, can make music suggestions and adjust home temperatures.

HomePod will pitch Apple against rival smart speakers from Amazon.com Inc and Alphabet Inc.

(Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Martina D'Couto)

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