Apple-Beats deal to go ahead with slightly smaller price tag

Technology giant Apple is set to acquire Beats Electronics, the music streaming service and personal technology company, for €3 billion in the coming weeks, a slight decrease from the €3.2 billion predicted.

Beats co-founders Iovine and rapper Dr. Dre will join Apple as part of the acquisition. Apple says it will keep the Beats hardware brand intact, as well as the Beats Music streaming service.

The deal also means that Apple will operate a subscription music service, a welcome boost since its music sales - responsible for its comeback a decade ago - began to stall.