Beats Music

MOG founder suing Beats for more than $20 million

Cody Lee ∙ May 16, 2014

As Apple moves closer to finalizing its Beats acquisition deal, a new report is out on a recently-filed lawsuit against the headphone-maker. The plaintiff is David Hyman, founder of music service MOG (now Beats Music), and he feels that Beats owes him a lot of money.

In the suit, shared by The Wrap, Hyman claims that he was offered a stout compensation package when Beats purchased his company and made him the CEO of Beats Music, which he never received. So now he's suing the firm for at least $20 million plus interest...

Apple’s Beats acquisition may not be finalized until next week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

Following the flurry of reports late last week regarding Apple's plan to acquire Beats Electronics, a lot of folks expected the iPad-maker to comment on the matter after the long weekend. But Monday came, and went, without a single word from Cupertino.

As it turns out, that may be because it isn't a done deal yet. Citing people familiar with the transaction, Recode's Peter Kafka is reporting that Apple's Beats acquisition is taking longer than originally expected, and it may not be finalized until next week...

Rumor: Apple will tap Beats to introduce high-res iTunes music, improve In-Ear Headphones

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 13, 2014

Apple's purported acquisition of Beats Electronics, LCC has set the tongues wagging as pundits race to offer their armchair analysis of the grand strategy behind Apple's alleged $3.2 billion deal.

The latest in the Apple-Beats saga comes via the rather reliable Japanese blog Macotakara which earlier this morning asserted that Apple will use Beats to introduce support for high-resolution audio files in iTunes and the iOS Music app and also improve sound quality of its pricey pricey $79 In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic...

Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre could see grand introductions as Apple executives at WWDC

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 12, 2014

Should Apple's rumored $3.2 billion deal to buy Beats Electronics, LCC come through, its most visible co-founders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre could show up on the Moscone West stage to be introduced as Apple executives, as per Billboard. An annual pilgrimage for programmers, Apple's 5-day Worldwide Developers Conference, or WWDC, kicks off on June 2.

If history is an indication, Tim Cook will share the stage with other senior executives to tell us what's next for Apple's mobile and desktop operating systems. Given the amount of coverage WWDC typically enjoys, it would be the perfect venue to make such a high-profile announcement...

Bloomberg: Apple to keep Beats as a separate brand, improve headphones design

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 12, 2014

A report last Thursday by The Financial Times on Apple's alleged $3.2 billion purchase of Beats Electronics, LCC. - potentially Apple's most pricey acquisition to date - has taken the technology industry by surprise.

And as pundits continue to assess the rationale behind Apple's purported move, Bloomberg on Monday ran a revealing story explaining that the two firms share more commonalities than meets the eye, despite a world of difference in terms of corporate culture.

Moreover, Apple apparently intends to keep Beats hardware around while improving upon the design of the startup's pricey headphones...

Some theories on why Apple would want to buy Beats

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Since word got out last Thursday that Apple is in the final stages of purchasing Beats Electronics, it seems like everyone and their dog has written an op-ed on why Tim Cook and company would want to spend $3 billion on the headphone-maker.

While I normally love playing armchair analyst on topics like this, I've decided this time not to add to the noise. Instead, I've rounded up a handful of some of the better theories I've seen around the web on why an Apple-Beats deal makes any sense...

Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine to take on senior roles at Apple after Beats buyout

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 1, 2018

The Wall Street Journal added some new details to the Apple-Beats discussion last night, reporting that Beats co-founders Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine are likely to take on senior roles at the Cupertino company following the high profile acquisition.

Now, just what exactly they'll be doing at Apple is still unclear. It sounds like the positions are not going to be full time, with the pair commuting from Los Angeles—where Beats is headquartered—to Cupertino, and other places if necessary...

WSJ: Apple playing ‘catch up’ with Beats acquisition

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

The disruptor has become the disrupted. Apple, the company that turned the music industry upside down with the launch of the iTunes Store in 2003, saw digital download sales drop for the first time ever last year. Why? Streaming music services.

The folks out in Cupertino failed to see the rise of the Rdios and the Spotifys, and thus have been forced to play catch-up. And according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, that's exactly what this rumored Apple-Beats acquisition is all about...

Dr. Dre seemingly confirms Apple’s Beats deal

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 9, 2014

The Financial Times newspaper yesterday reported that Apple is in the final stages of negotiating a $3.2 billion acquisition of Beats Electronics, a startup behind the recently unveiled Beats Music streaming service and the maker of premium headphones and assorted audio accessories.

Dr. Dre, who co-founded Beats, has now seemingly jumped the gun on announcing the deal in a video published on Facebook, which has now been deleted because Apple - as I'm sure you know by now - is not fond of leaks...

Beats’ Jimmy Iovine in talks to join Apple as ‘special adviser’ to Tim Cook

Cody Lee ∙ May 8, 2014

Following up news this afternoon that Apple is in serious talks to acquire Beats, the New York Post is reporting that co-founder Jimmy Iovine may soon be joining the company. The Post says Iovine would serve as a 'special adviser,' and would report to Tim Cook on 'creative matters.'

Jimmy Iovine is a record and movie producer, as well as a very successful entrepreneur. He co-founded Interscope Records in the early 90's, which later became part of the Universal Music Group, and then Beats in 2006, which again is being rumored to soon be bought out by Apple...

FT: Apple to buy Beats Music for $3.2 billion

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

Apple is said to be on the verge of finalizing what would class as its biggest acquisition ever, a deal to buy Beats Music in a transaction valued at $3.2 billion. According to a Financial Times report on Thursday, citing people familiar with the negotiations, the deal could be announced as early as next week. Nothing is certain though as the parties have yet to agree on certain specifics so talks could still fall apart. Apple and Beats both declined to comment on the rumor...

Beats Music updated with native iPad support, adds Find Your Friends feature

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

As teased yesterday, the new streaming music startup from music mogul Jimmy Lovine and musician and producer Dr. Dre, called Beats Music, has been updated with support for the iPad. The 17.1MB download is now live in the App Store and universal so a single binary now supports all your form-factor iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices. As a bonus, regardless of the device you can now easily add Beats Music users from your Twitter friends...