Apple to Buy Beats For $3.2 Billion?

Apple is reportedly negotiating the purchase of Beats Electronics for $3.2 billion, according to a new report from The New York Times. The deal would include both the streaming Beats Music subscription service as well as the part of the company that produces headphones and speakers. While negotiations have yet to be confirmed, a deal, if finalized, could be announced as early as next week. This would mark Apple’s biggest acquisition in the company’s history.

It’s also a business move that’d make perfect sense since there are already ties between both entities. Apple already sells Beats products in its retail stores. In addition, Beats began offering a way to subscribe to its streaming music service using Apple’s in-app purchase last month. Apple is given a cut of Beats’s subscription revenue. The streaming service also competes with Apple’s own iTunes Radio. The acquisition has not been finalized, however, so more info will be released as the story develops.