Apple Execs Meet With Beats CEO Jimmy Iovine About Music Streaming Service
March 6, 2013
Apple's so-called iRadio may yet become a reality. Apparently, Apple has considered the possibility of making its entry into the music streaming business by partnering with Beats Electronics.
According to an exclusive report by Reuters, Apple CEO Tim Cook met with Beats CEO Jimmy Iovine late last month to discuss "Project Daisy." "Project Daisy" is a music subscription service announced by Beats last January in a bid to relaunch MOG, which was acquired by the company last year.
Reuters' sources said that, at Cook and Iovine's meeting, the former "expressed interest in Daisy's business model and its rollout plans, although the two did not discuss specifics of a deal."
The meeting was also attended by Apple Internet Software and Services head Eddy Cue, who played a significant role in establishing the iTunes Music Store.
In October last year, Bloomberg reported that Apple would be getting into the music streaming business, which is currently led by the likes of Spotify, Pandora, and Rdio, in early 2013.
And just a couple of months ago, BTIG analyst Richard Greenfield suggested that Apple's music service will launch this year once Apple completes negotiations with music labels.
But perhaps the most concrete suggestion of the arrival of Apple's iRadio is the discovery last month of hidden "Radio Buy" buttons in the iPad Music app.