Apple Music Can’t Catch Up To Spotify And That Spells Trouble for Apple’s HomePod Smart Speaker

[UPDATED] Recently, Apple announced that Apple Music has 27 million subscribers. While impressive, it's not enough to catch Spotify, who has more than 50 million paid subscribers, and continues to add users at an impressive space. That gap could be a problem for Apple’s newly announced smart speaker, HomePod.

While announcing HomePod, Apple centered its pitch around the new device's superior audio and built-in speakers compared to more established smart speakers from Amazon and Google.

But if Apple insists on its usual closed ecosystem, how many will be willing to forgive access to Spotify, Deezer, Napster, Tidal and others by buying a HomePod?

The Verge has the first look at Morning Consult's survey here.

Highlights:

1/3 of consumers interested in buying HomePod: After hearing that Apple will release a voice-controlled assistant in December, 33% said they were interested in purchasing it. After seeing it compared to its competitors, the number barely shifts: 30% are still interested in purchasing it.
- As a point of comparison: When we asked about the iPhone 7 in September, 25% said they were likely to buy.
Even higher for people who already own Apple products: 45% of current Apple customers said they were interested. After seeing the chart, 40% still said they were interested.
Amazon Comes Out on Top Against Competitors: 17% said they were most likely to buy Amazon echo, followed by the Echo Dot at 11%, Google Home at 11%, Apple HomePod at 9%, Sonos Play:1 at 2% and Sonos Play:3 at 2%
- Among Apple product owners, HomePod number jumps, but Amazon still leading: 18% said Amazon Echo, 17% said Apple HomePod, 11% said Echo Dot, 11% said Google Home, 4% said Sonos Play:1, 4% said Sonos Play: 3
Price is the most important consideration for consumers:
- Among those who said feature was "very important" when considering a voice-controlled assistant:
  - 57% Price
  - 51% Speaker/audio quality
  - 49% Accuracy of device's voice recognition
  - 44% Compatibility with devices you may already own, such as your smartphone
  - 30% Access to a variety or music streaming services
  - 29% Ability for device to integrate with other services or platforms, such as controlling smart lightbulbs
  - 29% Brand that manufactures the device
  - 21% Aesthetics or look of the device