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More => Music and Movie Services => Topic started by: Dennis in FL on November 29, 2023, 03:44:19 am

Title: Roon acquired by Harman International
Post by: Dennis in FL on November 29, 2023, 03:44:19 am
HARMAN Acquires Roon, a popular Multi-Device, Multi-Room Audio Technology Platform

November 27, 2023

Roon’s Audiophile-Quality Music Aggregation, Connectivity and Streaming Technology to Complement HARMAN’s Comprehensive Audio Offerings
STAMFORD, CT – November 27, 2023 – HARMAN, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer, and enterprise markets, today announced the acquisition of Roon, the music management, discovery, and streaming platform for music enthusiasts.

More here https://news.harman.com/releases/harman-acquires-roon-a-popular-multi-device-multi-room-audio-technology-platform
Title: Re: Roon acquired by Harman International
Post by: JimH on November 29, 2023, 08:30:55 am
Quote
... the music management, discovery, and streaming platform for music enthusiasts
Most of that was technology from other companies.  And "music enthusiasts" is a little broad.  Roon is a very well regarded company in a narrow niche (audiophiles).

Acquisitions of small software businesses by big companies often don't go very well.  Musicmatch (https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/yahoo-to-buy-musicmatch-for-160-million/) had a lot of buzz when Yahoo acquired it.  Winamp ...

Nonetheless, it's a very happy ending for the owners and investors of Roon.  Congratulations to a very worthy competitor.

Title: Re: Roon acquired by Harman International
Post by: Dennis in FL on November 29, 2023, 09:01:16 am
Most of that was technology from other companies.  And "music enthusiasts" is a little broad.  Roon is a very well regarded company in a narrow niche (audiophiles).

Acquisitions of small software businesses by big companies often don't go very well.  Musicmatch had a lot of buzz when Yahoo acquired it.  Winamp ...

Nonetheless, it's a very happy ending for the owners and investors of Roon.  Congratulations to a very worthy competitor.

Since the new owner is a division of Samsung, there is concern that Roon hardware partners will object to funding their competition.  Also, you may see some key employees jump ship.   

It's a wait & see.
Title: Re: Roon acquired by Harman International
Post by: JimH on November 29, 2023, 09:19:21 am
They sold their previous company, Sooloos, to Meridian Audio.
https://www.whathifi.com/news/meridian-audio-acquires-sooloos
Title: Re: Roon acquired by Harman International
Post by: Dennis in FL on December 04, 2023, 12:20:28 pm
They sold their previous company, Sooloos, to Meridian Audio.
https://www.whathifi.com/news/meridian-audio-acquires-sooloos

Good memory...I remember that.