Also from my experience it's the counterparty that should feel honored to be working with Apple rather than the other way around, which I suspect played a role here too.
> Also from my experience it's the counterparty that should feel honored to be working with Apple rather than the other way around
The Beats purchase was interesting in that I'm almost certain that Apple didn't need the technology for yet another set of headphones, but what they bought instead was the reputation/cultural allure of Beats, its founders and music catalogue.
I suspect Iovine and Dre are well beyond needing validation from or being "honored" to be working with Apple as both are such prolific creators in their own right(s).