Apple welcomes Beats to the family as sale completes


Apple has welcomed Beats to the family as the $3 billion purchase completes for the headphone company and streaming service.


Beats is now officially part of Apple, both companies have confirmed. Apple added a welcome page to the front of its own website, while Beats did a similar thing to its own.


“Today we are excited to officially welcome Beats Music and Beats Electronics to the Apple family. Music has always held a special place in our hearts, and we’re thrilled to join forces with a group of people who love it as much as we do,” reads the Apple statement.


“Beats cofounders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre have created beautiful products that have helped millions of people deepen their connection to music. We’re delighted to be working with the team to elevate that experience even further. And we can’t wait to hear what’s next.”


The sale has completed a month earlier than expected, meaning the US government didn’t have any qualms about the acquisition. The European Commission had already approved the Apple's deal to buy the Beats Solo 2 makers earlier this month.


“There’s a new instrument in the Apple family”, came the statement on the Beats website.


The statement goes on to highlight Apple’s successes, right from the Macintosh computer being the “instrument of choice” in the early revolution of digital music, through to the iPod putting a “library of the world’s music in your pocket”.


The iPhone and the iPad are mentioned too, with both seen as an enabler for musicians in the connected world.


“Starting today, we at Beats are fortunate to add our instrument to this legacy by joining Apple.”


Following a number of leaks, the news of the Apple acquisition of Beats Electronics and Beats Music was made official in May.


Apple paid $2.6 million ($1.55 bn) up front for the audio company and its associated music streaming service, with the remaining $400 million (£239m) to be invested into Beats over time.


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