Apple unveils HomePod; updates iPads, Macs and operating systems

San Jose, California

APPLE has long been an innovator in mobile technology. Yet, on Monday at its annual developer conference here, the company at times appeared as if it was playing catch up.

That was especially so when the company, the maker of the iPhone, took the wraps off HomePod, a speaker that will ship in December, and which follows both Amazon's Echo and Google's Home speakers. It was the first new product category from Apple since it rolled out the Apple Watch in 2015.

In addition, Apple introduced new iPads and Mac computers at the event, and updated the operating systems that power its devices.

Amazon pioneered Echo, a device that lets you play music, look up basic information and control your lighting and other home accessories. Now, Apple's answer to the Echo - the HomePod - is her…