Apple is racking up the acquisitions, especially when it comes to all things music, news and radio. Now it’s adding another new kid on the block.
Swell is a news radio app and works as a Pandora talk radio app. Rumor has it Apple is about to buy them out for around $30 million. It’s raised millions from investors like Google Ventures. Swell’s partners include ABC News and NPR, National Public Radio. They’ve gotten praise from Time and Forbes magazines. Despite these powerful allies, they can’t seem to find a wide audience. This is where Apple comes in.
Apple has it’s own news and information style app, but it’s hardly getting anywhere. It ranks 1.5 out of 5 stars. Swell has been testing an Android app, but nothing ever came of it. But despite struggling to find regular users, the fan base Swell does have is extremely passionate and loyal. So this sounds like a hand and glove situation. Apple needs a good news radio app and Swells needs a major audience. Ironic this comes at a time Apple is purchasing earphone giant Beats, and a book suggestion app called Book Lamp. Apple seems to be building all the tools for a powerful radio/music based network. Will it work?