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"Unique" is one way of putting it. Another is "messy." If they wanted the headphones or the talent or the streaming service, they could have bought any one in

"Unique" is one way of putting it. Another is "messy." If they wanted the headphones or the talent or the streaming service, they could have bought any one individually, or purchased a number of competing services that are better in each of those spaces. The fact that everyone is so confounded by this acquisition makes me think that Apple purchased something non-public.

achompas 12y ago
I don't believe people are actually confounded by this acquisition. The headphones are wildly profitable and the Beats brand is incredibly strong. This deal is easily justifiable.
- nostromo 12y ago
  Just grabbing some headlines from Google News: http://www.cnet.com/news/why-does-apple-want-beats-no-one-really-seems-to-know/ http://www.cnet.com/news/why-does-apple-want-beats-no-one-re... > analysts are puzzled by the choice http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-reaction-apple-3-2-billion-bid-beats-20140509-story.html http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-reaction... > We are struggling to see the rationale behind this move http://business.financialpost.com/2014/05/12/apple-inc-beats-tim-cook-innovation/?__lsa=a6d6-b38c http://business.financialpost.com/2014/05/12/apple-inc-beats... > It’s a head scratcher http://www.bbc.com/news/business-27336863 http://www.bbc.com/news/business-27336863 > This is really puzzling... They must have something hidden under the hood
  - gutnor 12y ago
    Seems like those days, if they haven't received press release and a press package the only thing analyst can say is that they are puzzled. Thankfully in a few weeks it will be time for the annual batch of rumour about the next iPhone. That has been almost a year since the last article predicting the 5in iPhone and the iWatch.
  - achompas 12y ago
    The second article says it all: these are initial reactions. I believe the sentiment has changed drastically since the deal's first announcement (at least it has among sites and blogs I frequent).
- smackfu 12y ago
  If it was company X that was doing the acquisition, no one would care too much. It's the Apple involvement that makes it confounding, since Apple doesn't do acquisitions of this sort. They don't buy brands, they buy tech or people.
lnanek2 12y ago
I can't think of a single headphone business that is anywhere near Beats. The headphones are crap, they used to be relabeled Monster headphones, for example. It doesn't matter. The brand is successful. Coco-Cola is just sugar water, it's the brand that makes the money. Same here. There aren't other equivalent brands they could purchase.

achompas 12y ago

I don't believe people are actually confounded by this acquisition. The headphones are wildly profitable and the Beats brand is incredibly strong. This deal is easily justifiable.

nostromo 12y ago
Just grabbing some headlines from Google News: http://www.cnet.com/news/why-does-apple-want-beats-no-one-really-seems-to-know/ http://www.cnet.com/news/why-does-apple-want-beats-no-one-re... > analysts are puzzled by the choice http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-reaction-apple-3-2-billion-bid-beats-20140509-story.html http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-reaction... > We are struggling to see the rationale behind this move http://business.financialpost.com/2014/05/12/apple-inc-beats-tim-cook-innovation/?__lsa=a6d6-b38c http://business.financialpost.com/2014/05/12/apple-inc-beats... > It’s a head scratcher http://www.bbc.com/news/business-27336863 http://www.bbc.com/news/business-27336863 > This is really puzzling... They must have something hidden under the hood
- gutnor 12y ago
  Seems like those days, if they haven't received press release and a press package the only thing analyst can say is that they are puzzled. Thankfully in a few weeks it will be time for the annual batch of rumour about the next iPhone. That has been almost a year since the last article predicting the 5in iPhone and the iWatch.
- achompas 12y ago
  The second article says it all: these are initial reactions. I believe the sentiment has changed drastically since the deal's first announcement (at least it has among sites and blogs I frequent).
smackfu 12y ago
If it was company X that was doing the acquisition, no one would care too much. It's the Apple involvement that makes it confounding, since Apple doesn't do acquisitions of this sort. They don't buy brands, they buy tech or people.

lnanek2 12y ago

I can't think of a single headphone business that is anywhere near Beats. The headphones are crap, they used to be relabeled Monster headphones, for example. It doesn't matter. The brand is successful. Coco-Cola is just sugar water, it's the brand that makes the money. Same here. There aren't other equivalent brands they could purchase.