Apple is exploring possibilities for a release of a music service with audio technology business Beats Electronics LLC to boost iTunes sales.
Apple’s interest in Beats’ Project Daisy, a music subscription service launched in January, was noted by late February visits between chief executives Tim Cook, Apple, and Jimmy Iovine, Beats, in Los Angeles.
Appointments between Cook and Iovine, also chairman at music enterprise Interscope-Geffen-A&M, are said to be “informational”, Reuters reported.
Eddy Cue, chief of Internet Products at Apple, joined the pair, showing interest in the business strategy Beats employed with the launch of Project Daisy.
Spokespersons of both companies declined to comment.
Meanwhile, Beats announced its US$60 million funding acquisition for Daisy from a collection of investors, including Warner Music yesterday, saying the music service will “bring an emotional connection back to the act of music discovery”.
Famous for its headphones, Beats is in a partnership with Apple competitor and Taiwanese handset manufacturer HTC Corp.
According to an AllThingsDigital interview last month, Beats offered Steve Jobs a collaborative agreement in 2003 with regards to music subscription services, but it was declined.
