Apple's Cook says Beats buy provides head start in subscription-based music streaming

By AppleInsider Staff

In an interview explaining Apple's purchase of Beats Electronics and Beats Music, CEO Tim Cook looks toward expanding the iTunes business model and building future products co-designed by the two companies.


Source: ImagineChina/AP Photo via Bloomberg

As for the deal itself, which is Apple's largest acquisition to date, Cook told Re/code that it's "all about music," going on to note the Mac program is rooted in sales to creatives like musicians.

While Cooks' statement seems obvious given Beats' audio-related wares, the reality is that many industry watchers are questioning the deal because Apple has sufficient resources to build identical -- or superior -- products in-house.

"We could build just about anything that you could dream of," Cook said of Apple.

"But that's not the question. The thing that Beats provides us is a head start. They provide us with incredible people, that don't grow on trees. They're creative souls, kindred spirits."