Apple's Beats acquisition reportedly delayed over Dre and Iovine roles, valuation, more
In what has become a daily routine, a Friday report offers further information on Apple's rumored deal to buy Beats Electronics, this time saying the agreement has been delayed yet again as the two companies hammer out final details.
According to Billboard, there are five things that could potentially be holding up the widely rumored deal, including early leaks to the press, terms of the arrangement and questions regarding the future roles of Beats cofounders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre.
Citing sources familiar with the companies' ongoing discussions, the publication reports one problem is that the supposed $3.2 billion deal would be Apple's largest acquisition to date, also making it the biggest for CEO Tim Cook.
Another source claims details of the agreement leaked too soon. Apple is notoriously tight-lipped about future plans, but in this case the company was "nowhere near ready" for news to break, being in the middle of determining exactly what assets will be acquired in the deal.
Third, a video posted to Tyrese Gibson's Facebook page shows the actor/model seemingly celebrating the alleged acquisition with Dr. Dre, whose real name is Andre Young. In it, Young proclaimed he would be the first billionaire in hip-hop.
Another question that has been discussed ad nauseam over the past two weeks is how Iovine and Young fit into the equation. A report from The Wall Street Journal noted the two executives could land senior positions in Cupertino if a deal were to go through, but such an "acqui-hire" is not guaranteed.
Finally, Billboard has heard deal terms regarding Beats Music, Beats' subscription-based streaming service, are hampering forward progress. The problem is reaching a proper valuation for the service, which could be a contentious issue given the involvement of backers like Warner Music Group.
Friday's report merely adds fuel the rumor mill and curiously comes with a disclaimer noting the publication's sources were previously wrong in saying an Apple-Beats announcement would come this week, by Monday or "Tuesday at the latest."
Billboard also floated reports that Beats cofounder Jimmy Iovine was in talks to join Apple as a special advisor to CEO Tim Cook, while running a think piece in which "Steve Jobs" biographer Walter Isaacson said the deal could be the future of Apple's television set aspirations.
For what it's worth, the publication's sources are now saying a deal will indeed happen and that everything will be cleared up "next week."
According to Billboard, there are five things that could potentially be holding up the widely rumored deal, including early leaks to the press, terms of the arrangement and questions regarding the future roles of Beats cofounders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre.
Citing sources familiar with the companies' ongoing discussions, the publication reports one problem is that the supposed $3.2 billion deal would be Apple's largest acquisition to date, also making it the biggest for CEO Tim Cook.
Another source claims details of the agreement leaked too soon. Apple is notoriously tight-lipped about future plans, but in this case the company was "nowhere near ready" for news to break, being in the middle of determining exactly what assets will be acquired in the deal.
Third, a video posted to Tyrese Gibson's Facebook page shows the actor/model seemingly celebrating the alleged acquisition with Dr. Dre, whose real name is Andre Young. In it, Young proclaimed he would be the first billionaire in hip-hop.
Another question that has been discussed ad nauseam over the past two weeks is how Iovine and Young fit into the equation. A report from The Wall Street Journal noted the two executives could land senior positions in Cupertino if a deal were to go through, but such an "acqui-hire" is not guaranteed.
Finally, Billboard has heard deal terms regarding Beats Music, Beats' subscription-based streaming service, are hampering forward progress. The problem is reaching a proper valuation for the service, which could be a contentious issue given the involvement of backers like Warner Music Group.
Friday's report merely adds fuel the rumor mill and curiously comes with a disclaimer noting the publication's sources were previously wrong in saying an Apple-Beats announcement would come this week, by Monday or "Tuesday at the latest."
Billboard also floated reports that Beats cofounder Jimmy Iovine was in talks to join Apple as a special advisor to CEO Tim Cook, while running a think piece in which "Steve Jobs" biographer Walter Isaacson said the deal could be the future of Apple's television set aspirations.
For what it's worth, the publication's sources are now saying a deal will indeed happen and that everything will be cleared up "next week."
Comments
And then when the next week comes and goes and nothing has happened we'll get reports that it's for sure happening the week after that. Wow this is becoming one big joke.
Let me add one more thing "that could potentially be holding up the widely rumored deal"... It's all click bait. There is no deal, nor has there ever been one in the works.
Tune in next week when the rumor is that the rumored deal fell through because of a rumored reason ... That will be followed by the rumored reaction from rumored management at Apple, and that now rumored negotiations are now on-going with another company, rumored to be Google, who is rumored to have out-bid Apple by a rumored $Billion.
Do you realize that rumor has lasted longer then some of last year's new Fall TV shows??
It was "next week" a week ago...
First of all%u2026 I am not a religious nut and I own a pair of beats headphones, but it kind of bothers me that beats headphones have a 666 on the hinges -- two hexagon shape bolts and the b of beats slightly twisted. Also when you see these headphones promoted the have 3 pairs that display 666. I am hoping that this is just a coincidence or doesn't have any dark intentions. Again%u2026 I hope, but I fear something much sinister is going on. I am looking forward for comments.
It's well known in Satanic circles that Apple is the tool of the anti-christ. Jobs was messenger with the first ad. Now Dre and Iovine (both commanders of the dark arts) will take their rightful places at the table and feast with Satan.
Yawn...
Please stop posting about your religious neuroses. Save it for Church.
Jeez.. doesn't anyone have a sense of humor around here?
Appleinsider seems to be in love with Beats. Both MacRumors http://www.macrumors.com/2014/05/23/beats-apple-delay/ and 9toMac http://************/2014/05/23/beats-acquisition-could-be-delayed-for-a-variety-for-reasons-including-dres-early-announcement-video/?pushup=1 seem to suggest problems. Daring Fireball completely distrusts Billboard, and according to a post on Secret, all talks are over.
Maybe there is no real deal and it is just some PR that Beats audio needed. Let's suppose that if there is some talk going on than, and if the reason is Apple is mainly interested in Dre and Iovine, than the price that for $3.2 is ridiculous and in that case the WhatsApp valuation and the price FaceBook paid is nothing.
BTW, Apple hasn't been going up because of the Beats rumor, as some analyst claims it to be. The split is approaching and people are people want to get int the game, because there is going to be upswing on this stock after the split. There is still lot more juice left in this company, event after all the negativity from media. Also, the developer conference is around the corner and there will be some news there also.
So, let's just stop all the Beats rumor - The purchase never made sense and it never will.
"And... Yes Folks, Apple Basic is Free!"
I can't read that without hearing Steve's voice.
Get this, Dr Dre isn't a real doctor!
1: report rumor as fact
2: insist rumor is fact
3: call anyone who defends sanity a fanboy
4: when rumor doesn't come to pass, create new rumor explaining the delay
5: insist rumor is fact...
You are so going to hell now
I doubt Apple wants to work with someone that doesn't take Apple's culture seriously (especially its secrecy). And, I can't even see how Beats (Dr.Dre and Iovine) which is completely form without function would fit in Apple, who is all about a zen between form and function (Jony Ive).
I get it. The deal is off because Dr. Dre lied on his resume.