Apple said to cut some 200 jobs from Beats as acquisition closing date looms

As Apple takes control of Beats Music and Beats Electronics, the Cupertino, Calif. company is said to be paring some 200 jobs from the music software and hardware firm's roster. According to sources speaking with the New York Post, Apple is culling about 200 Beats employees as part of its $3 billion acquisition, which is set to close on Aug. 1. "Last week everyone was given an offer from Apple. Some were transitional offers with a set end date," one source said. As noted by the publication, the 200 employees represent about 40 percent of Beats' global workforce, a substantial downsizing that will likely be filled internally once Apple is in full control of the company. A separate report from Bloomberg corroborates the claims, saying expected cuts are to come from human resources, finance and other departments that overlap with existing roles at Apple. The publication goes on to say Apple plans to fire the workers after the acquisition is firmly in place. News of the layoffs was first noted by 9to5Mac. Apple's Beats buy has been overshadowed as of late by rumors of an impending iPhone refresh. Most recently, the European Commission gave Apple the green light to go forward with the acquisition, noting the two companies' combined market share in the headphone business does not come close to that of competing companies. Last week, audio giant Bose sued Beats' hardware arm, claiming infringement of patented noise canceling technology. Apple will inherit the lawsuit when it takes over operational control in August.

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