Apple’s acquisition of Beats brought out more anticipation, speculation, and commentary than any business or product news story since the launch of iTunes Radio in September. It’s as if a unique two-headed creature rose out of the earth for all to wonder at. As the dust settles, a few points are worth noting. Continue Reading
A little more detail spilled out of this week’s important industry consolidation, as Apple acquired Beats Electronics. According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, Apple’s valuation of Beats Music, the subscription streaming service, was $500-million. Too much or too little? Continue Reading
Apple and Beats Electronics reached a final merger agreement in which Beats is folded into Apple, probably by September. Facts are emerging and suppositions are flowing. We voraciously scanned coverage around the web to deliver a hotlist of must-read reporting and opinion. Continue Reading
Ending its exercise in delayed gratification, Apple turned rumor into reality by acquiring Beats Electronics for $3-billion. Tellingly, Apple’s press release leads with the streaming music service. “Apple today announced it has agreed to acquire the critically acclaimed subscription streaming music service Beats Music, and Beats Electronics, which makes the popular Beats headphones, speakers and audio software.” Continue Reading
Today brings the latest update of a story that won’t die … and won’t start, for that matter. Claire Atkinson of the New York Post cites unnamed sources who claim that Apple’s rumor-factory acquisition of Beats Electronics will be finalized and announced this week. We review the Apple/Beats saga and latest leaks. Continue Reading
The rumor hasn’t been refuted yet, and the entire music-tech world is treating it a fact, soon to be manifested. Apple will (reportedly) acquire Beats Electronics, including Beats Music. RAIN solicited comments from thought leaders, and harvested some of the most provocative perspectives in other media outlets, to create a landscape of opinion and speculation. Continue Reading
In what would be a blockbuster $3.2-billion deal that re-shapes the ownership structure of streaming music, Apple is reportedly set to acquire Beats Electronics, which includes Beats Music. If it plays out as rumored, the acquisition would vault Apple into the music-subscription industry, adding a third pillar to its music business. Continue Reading
Listening to music and acquiring music are entwined. In 2014, collecting music has a new meaning, and increasingly occurs without the need of a traditional music product — physical or virtual. What collecting music means today. Continue Reading
Apple CarPlay is one of the most interesting connected-car initiatives. Pioneer plans to offer an aftermarket solution to existing cars, via updates to its AV Receiver models. The update is firmware, which means software downloaded into the unit and permanently installed. It’s really an operating system upgrade to installed Pioneer audio units, that includes Apple’s CarPlay software. Continue Reading
According to an executive at the British office of OMD, the global ad agency, Apple is prepping the agency on iAds in iTunes Radio, presumably for a soon-to-be U.K. launch of the Internet radio service. Hannah Allen of OMD tweeted a visit from Paul Wright, who runs Apple’s ad platform in Europe. Continue Reading
Apple is mulling a subscription music service, reports are swirling that Apple might consider creating an Android app for iTunes, distributing the world’s largest music store outside of the Apple ecosystem for the first time. The news is a significant indicator of Apple’s openness to new business paths. Continue Reading
In a day loaded with rumors of new ambitions emanating from Apple, comes a report that the company is considering a Netflix-like streaming TV service, and is having discussions with cable giant Comcast about paying for high-quality last-mile streaming into homes. Continue Reading