The AppAdvice Week In Review: Watch Out Spotify, Apple Is Set To Buy Beats
May 11, 2014
Hard to believe, but Apple could soon buy Beats Audio for a cool $3.2 billion. These, and other stories were covered during the week that was.
On Tuesday, FinancesOnline released a report that highlighted the “cost, catch & consequences” of the top acquisitions by the world’s biggest technology companies. In an attached infographic, Apple was called the “small & secret buyer,” given its practice of buying very small companies, often in secret.
FinancesOnline may soon have to update its report, because Apple’s likely purchase of Beats Audio is anything but small and secretive.
The proposed purchase is said to be worth as much as $3.2 billion. If approved, this would easily exceed the $429 million Apple paid for Steve Jobs’ NeXT in 1996.
For the huge sum, Apple would be getting a company well known for its popular line of headphones. Perhaps more importantly, Apple would also be getting the Beats streaming music service.
Launched earlier this year, Beats Music has entered a crowded market to compete against Rdio, Spotify, and others.
After a bumpy start, the service seemed to find its footing and has topped the App Store’s music charts. An update in April allowed users to subscribe to the $9.99 per month service directly from the app. And last week, version 2.0 of the app arrived with support for the iPad/iPad mini.
Should Apple buy Beats? Our readers, like the tech industry as a whole, have mixed thoughts:
Drew, not to be confused by Beats' Dr. Dre, says "3 billion for headphone company that are not musical at all. Steaming, big deal. Can't understand why they needed them. Not impressed with Apple."
Not so fast, explains MJK, who says:
The last time Netflix attempted to raise the price on its streaming video service, customers went for the doors. This time around, a proposed price hike has gone largely unnoticed — which is exactly the way Netflix planned it.
Beginning next month, new Netflix subscribers will pay $8.99 per month for unlimited streaming. This compares to the $7.99 per month that current subscribers will continue to pay during each of the next 24 months.
Netflix disclosed plans to raise its rates in April. The company said it needed more money so it can afford to pay for more original programming such as “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black.”
3. Mother’s Day
Celebrate Mother's Day by taking a look at these special reports:
Intake: Be Aggressive was our Game of the Week, while Acompli Email & Calendar celebrated being named AppAdvice’s App of the Week.
But what were the best app updates this week?
Fun, and addictive, kart racer Angry Birds Go! has a number of new features in version 1.3, including new tracks, tournaments, and more.
Evernote’s latest iOS app update makes it easier than ever for users to snap, store, sync, and even share business cards using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
The Big Three Stories of the Week
1. Beats by Apple?
On Tuesday, FinancesOnline released a report that highlighted the “cost, catch & consequences” of the top acquisitions by the world’s biggest technology companies. In an attached infographic, Apple was called the “small & secret buyer,” given its practice of buying very small companies, often in secret.
FinancesOnline may soon have to update its report, because Apple’s likely purchase of Beats Audio is anything but small and secretive.
The proposed purchase is said to be worth as much as $3.2 billion. If approved, this would easily exceed the $429 million Apple paid for Steve Jobs’ NeXT in 1996.
For the huge sum, Apple would be getting a company well known for its popular line of headphones. Perhaps more importantly, Apple would also be getting the Beats streaming music service.
Launched earlier this year, Beats Music has entered a crowded market to compete against Rdio, Spotify, and others.
After a bumpy start, the service seemed to find its footing and has topped the App Store’s music charts. An update in April allowed users to subscribe to the $9.99 per month service directly from the app. And last week, version 2.0 of the app arrived with support for the iPad/iPad mini.
Should Apple buy Beats? Our readers, like the tech industry as a whole, have mixed thoughts:
Drew, not to be confused by Beats' Dr. Dre, says "3 billion for headphone company that are not musical at all. Steaming, big deal. Can't understand why they needed them. Not impressed with Apple."
Not so fast, explains MJK, who says:
It's not about the headphones. The headphones are incidental. It's ALL about the streaming. Beats has an excellent streaming product that will help Apple move into that space. I, for one, can't wait to use Siri to call up my Beats playlists!Finally, Bordeauxm explains:
This would be a huge mistake for Apple. Beats headphone popularity are more of a fad than based on quality. This is a fad that is already waining (sic). One year ago at my gym about half the people there were wearing Beats now it is rare to see even one pair. For much less money Apple could have bought a company with much much higher quality audio and a lengthy reputation.Apple's acquisition of Beats Audio may be announced as early as next week. 2. The “House of Cards” Effect
The last time Netflix attempted to raise the price on its streaming video service, customers went for the doors. This time around, a proposed price hike has gone largely unnoticed — which is exactly the way Netflix planned it.
Beginning next month, new Netflix subscribers will pay $8.99 per month for unlimited streaming. This compares to the $7.99 per month that current subscribers will continue to pay during each of the next 24 months.
Netflix disclosed plans to raise its rates in April. The company said it needed more money so it can afford to pay for more original programming such as “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black.”
3. Mother’s Day
Celebrate Mother's Day by taking a look at these special reports:
- MacPhun Is Now Offering Huge Mother's Day Deals On Mac Applications
- AppAdvice Daily: More Last Minute Mother’s Day Gifts And Accessories That Anyone Will Love
- Updated AppList: Great iPad Apps For Moms
- Make Mom Smile With Our Selection Of Apps For Mother’s Day
- AppAdvice Daily: Last Minute Mother's Day Gifting Guide
This Week’s Awesome App Updates
Intake: Be Aggressive was our Game of the Week, while Acompli Email & Calendar celebrated being named AppAdvice’s App of the Week.
But what were the best app updates this week?
Fun, and addictive, kart racer Angry Birds Go! has a number of new features in version 1.3, including new tracks, tournaments, and more.
Evernote’s latest iOS app update makes it easier than ever for users to snap, store, sync, and even share business cards using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
For further consideration
