http://www.techradar.com/news/apples-homepod-finally-has-a-release-date-but-will-ship-without-some-features

With competition from other smart speakers heating up, it was starting to seem as though Apple was never going release its HomePod. Today, though, Apple announced that the highly anticipated speaker will hit shelves on February 9.

Pre-orders will begin on January 26 for users in the US, the UK and Australia. The new release date falls in line with other clues we've been seeing that point to an imminent release, such as approval from the US Federal Communications Commission.