Beats

Beats dates the brand’s founding to 2006. Carlyle’s 2013 announcement distinguishes the founders’ work beginning in 2006 from the company’s formal establishment in 2008. Its early business included headphones and licensing of Beats Audio technology to partners including HP, Chrysler and HTC.⁠[1][3]

On August 11, 2011, HTC announced a strategic partnership and investment to bring Beats audio technology to its phones, with devices planned for that autumn. Beats was to retain independent operations under Jimmy Iovine and Luke Wood and continue its existing partnerships.⁠[4]

On September 27, 2013, Beats and Carlyle announced an agreement for a minority investment to support product development, distribution and global expansion, with closing expected in the fourth quarter. Beats separately agreed to repurchase HTC’s remaining holding. The announcement did not disclose financial terms.⁠[3]

Beats Music launched its streaming service on January 21, 2014. Apple later described it as a subscription service built around curated listening and musical expertise, and included it alongside the hardware business in its acquisition agreement.⁠[5][2]

On May 28, 2014, Apple agreed to acquire Beats Music and Beats Electronics for $3 billion: approximately $2.6 billion in purchase price and $400 million vesting over time. Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine would join Apple; regulatory approval was still pending. Closing dates differ across official sources: the brand overview says July 2014, while a 2022 sworn declaration by Apple legal counsel specifies August 1, 2014.⁠[2][1][5]

Apple launched the Beats 1 radio station on June 30, 2015. Beats Music was discontinued on November 30 that year and subscribers migrated to Apple Music. Beats 1 continued and became Apple Music 1 in August 2020. The streaming shutdown did not end the Beats hardware brand.⁠[5][1]

On February 11, 2025, Beats announced Powerbeats Pro 2 with Apple’s H2 chip, workout heart-rate monitoring, active noise cancellation, Transparency mode and wireless charging. Heart-rate feedback requires compatible third-party fitness apps. Retail availability began on February 13 at a US launch price of $249.99, with LeBron James, Lionel Messi and Shohei Ohtani featured in the campaign.⁠[6]

On March 17, 2026, Beats and Nike announced their first hardware collaboration, Powerbeats Pro 2 – Nike Special Edition. The right earbud carries the Nike Swoosh and the left the Beats logo; workout heart-rate data can sync with a compatible Nike Run Club app. Sales began on March 20 at $249.99 in the United States.⁠[7]

On September 22, 2026, Beats introduced Beats 360, bringing interchangeable ear and headband cushions in different colors and materials to its over-ear range. Compatible with Apple and Android devices, it reached retail on September 24 at a US launch price of $349.99. The official design film demonstrates cushion changes and explains materials and comfort design; these are the manufacturer’s descriptions rather than independent audio assessments.⁠[8][9]

Beats: Official website: https://www.beatsbydre.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[10]

Apple: Official website: https://www.apple.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[2]

Carlyle: Official website: https://www.carlyle.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[3]

HTC: Official website: https://www.htc.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[4]

Beats maintains public accounts on X (https://x.com/beatsbydre (opens in a new window)), YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry (https://www.youtube.com/@beatsbydre (opens in a new window)) and LinkedInLinkedInLinkedIn is a social networking platform for professionals. It was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman and others, launched in 2003, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011; after Microsoft acquired it for approximately $26.2 billion in 2016, it became a wholly owned Microsoft subsidiary. Its revenue comes from membership subscriptions, advertising, and recruitment solutions.Open the full entry (https://www.linkedin.com/company/beats-by-dr.-dre (opens in a new window)).⁠[10][11]