Apple acquires musician development platform Platoon

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Apple continues to expand its media-related services and its latest acquisition hopes to grow its business in the music realm. Apple reportedly just bought Platoon, a London-based startup that works primarily with musicians (but also other creators like writers) to produce, distribute, and sell their work. The company makes use of analytics to source talent and figure out what’s the best way to market their talents, which TechCrunch likens to being a “modern-day tech equivalent of A&R services.”

Apple hasn’t officially confirmed the news nor what it plans to do with the company. But it can boost its Up Next platform, which focuses on working with up-and-coming artists. It’ll also help with music discovery for its users, perhaps even offer exclusives to its subscribers. From a creator’s perspective though, it could help Apple draw in lesser-known, unsigned artists and establish a long-term relationship with them. Platoon has worked with the likes of Billie Eilish and Jorja Smith before they got signed to big labels.

Source: The Verge

Report claims Logitech wants to purchase Plantronics for over US $2 billion

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Logitech still seems to be keen on purchasing other accessories makers. This time around, the company has reportedly set its sights on Plantronics. Logitech has reportedly offered as much as US $2.2 billion to purchase the headset maker. And if the deal pushes through, we should hear about it in the coming week. This acquisition will be Logitech’s most expensive purchase to date. But it would also boost the company’s lineup of PC and mobile accessories. According to Reuters, both companies are trying to reduce manufacturing costs and hope to lessen the impact of the Trump administration’s tariffs on Chinese imports into the US. Working together is one way to do just that.

Plantronics main business focuses on Bluetooth headphones and earbuds, unified communications systems, wireless headsets, conferencing systems, and some software, which it sells to businesses and consumers. It also has fitness-focused accessories. The company claims the headphones worn by Neil Armstrong during his first moonwalk was made by Plantronics.

Microsoft announces new game studio acquisitions

In a race to develop exclusive titles for its own platform, Microsoft continues its game studio acquisitions. This time around, the company announced that it’s acquiring inXile Entertainment and Obsidian Entertainment. Both California-based game developers. inXile was formed by Brian Fargo and works on RPG games like Wasteland 2. Obsidian is known for games such as Fallout: New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity, and South Park: The Stick of Truth.

The studios are going to operate autonomously from Microsoft. But as part of Microsoft Studios, Xbox games head Matt Booty said, “Obsidian and inXile will have the support and freedom to fully realize their creative ambitions on both existing franchises and new RPG titles.” The creation of more RPG titles will certainly be a boon for the Xbox platform. Microsoft now has 13 game development teams under its belt and these two join the likes of The Initiative, Playground Games, and Ninja Theory, to name a few.

Source: The Verge

Apple’s latest acquisition suggests company is working on AR headset

Will this new acquisition benefit Apple ARKit or prepare us for an enitrely different product line?

Apple has yet to confirm or deny that it’s been developing an augmented reality headset but the newest startup it’s acquired might suggest that is in the works. Apple just bought Colorado-based Akonia Holographics, a company that develops lenses for augmented reality glasses. As usual, the company is keeping mum about what it plans to do with the company. Akonia though specializes in what it calls HoloMirror technology, which allows for the development of “thin, transparent smart glass lenses that display vibrant, full-color, wide field-of-view images.” The company also has 200 patents on holographic systems and materials.

As Reuters points out, Apple has bought smaller companies before to make use of the technologies for their devices. Perhaps this could appear in existing products—or as what’s being rumoured, it could appear in an AR-based product. Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously admitted that the company sees a future in AR. He said during a 2017 earnings call, “We are high on AR for the long run. We think there are great things for customers and a great commercial opportunity.”