ExtraBITS for 12 May 2014
This week in ExtraBITS, rumors are swirling that Apple may buy Beats Electronics, the fashion-forward music company. We also have an extensive profile of Google co-founder Larry Page, and how he worked his way back to leading the search giant. Finally, in sad news, the App.net social network platform has laid off all employees, though the founders claim it will continue to live “on an indefinite basis.”
Why Would Apple Drop $3.2 Billion on Beats? — Apple is reportedly set to buy Beats Electronics, maker of premium fashion headphones and the Beats Audio music streaming service, for $3.2 billion. Macworld’s Dan Miller suggests a few compelling reasons why, such as Beats’ curated music service and the industry credibility of co-founders Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine.
Larry Page and His Big Comeback — Don’t call it a comeback, Larry Page has been there for years! Nicholas Carlson, writing for Business Insider, has penned an extensive profile of the Google founder, focusing on his ouster from — and return to — leadership of the search giant. With a net worth of over $15 billion, one thing is for sure: Page won’t die destitute like his hero, Nikola Tesla.
App.net Sheds Full-Time Employees, Still “Self-Sustaining” — App.net, the experimental, subscription-based social network, has announced that, while it’s not closing its doors, its first round of renewals were not enough to retain full-time employees, including founders Dalton Caldwell and Bryan Berg. The pair claim that despite no longer being able to afford employees, “App.net will continue to operate normally on an indefinite basis.”