News

Infinite Reality Acquires Napster In $207 Million Deal

The acquisition aims to transform Napster into an interactive music platform with virtual events, AI tools, and more.

Published

2 years ago

March 26, 2025

infinite reality acquires napster in $207 million deal

Digital experience specialist Infinite Reality has officially announced its acquisition of Napster for $207 million. The deal is set to transform the iconic music service into a next-generation platform that goes beyond streaming, integrating social engagement and interactive audience experiences.

Napster, one of the longest-running digital music services, has paid out over $1 billion in royalties to musicians and songwriters over the years, and currently boasts a library of more than 110 million high-fidelity tracks. Now, under Infinite Reality’s ownership, the service is poised for a major evolution.

The plan is to reshape Napster into a more interactive and socially driven music platform. Infinite Reality intends to leverage its expertise in extended reality (XR), artificial intelligence (AI), and esports to create a space where artists can foster deeper connections with their fans. This initiative will integrate features like virtual concerts, social listening events, and gamified experiences to enhance engagement.

Some key elements of this transformation include:

3D Virtual Spaces: Artists will be able to create their own branded virtual environments where fans can attend exclusive events, concerts, and listening parties.
E-Commerce Integration: The platform will enable the sale of physical and digital merchandise, event tickets, and exclusive content.
AI-Powered Tools: Advanced AI-driven customer service and analytics will help artists better understand and interact with their audience.
Esports & Entertainment Crossovers: Leveraging Infinite Reality’s audience network, which includes the Drone Racing League (DRL) and major esports organizations, Napster aims to tap into gaming and digital entertainment communities.
Enhanced Monetization For Artists: New sponsorship and advertising opportunities will help artists unlock additional revenue streams.

“By acquiring Napster, we’re paving a path to a brighter future for artists, fans, and the music industry at large,” said John Acunto, CEO of Infinite Reality. “The artist-fan relationship is evolving, and we want to provide tools that allow for deeper connections and new revenue opportunities”.

Also Read: Best Music Streaming Services In The Middle East

Napster’s current CEO, Jon Vlassopulos, will stay on in his role while also expanding his leadership position at Infinite Reality. Since taking the helm in 2022, Vlassopulos has spearheaded Napster’s transformation into an innovative digital platform, drawing from his experience at Roblox, where he helped bring immersive music experiences to over 100 million users.

Reflecting on Napster’s history, Vlassopulos remarked, “Napster revolutionized music in the ’90s, and with Infinite Reality, we’re ready to do it again. Music streaming has remained largely unchanged, but we’re entering an immersive era where fans want more than just passive listening. Imagine stepping into a virtual venue, interacting with your favorite artist, and purchasing exclusive merchandise — all in one place. This is the next evolution of music engagement”.

News

Abu Dhabi’s Robot Kitchen Is Serving Up Biryani, Not Burgers

Circus SE wants to put a tiny automated factory inside the buildings where Gulf residents live and work, bypassing part of last-mile delivery.

Published

6 days ago

October 20, 2026

Nour Nasir

abu dhabi's robot kitchen is serving up biryani not burgers

Circus SE

The most telling thing about a new autonomous kitchen now running in Abu Dhabi’s Marina Square is what it won’t cook:

“We don’t do fast food,” says Nikolas Bullwinkel, Founder and CEO of Circus SE. “We’ve actively decided not to build a machine that can only do burgers”.

Instead, the CA-1 system is built around pot-based cooking: curries, pastas, soups and rice dishes. After experimenting with highly personalized recipes, Circus deliberately leaned back toward recognizable food. “We’re going with a chicken biryani because you know it,” Bullwinkel says of the AED 40 dish.

circus se ca-1 robot system

The Germany-based robotics and food technology company operates across eight countries, and Abu Dhabi is its first deployment outside Europe. More locations are expected there and in Dubai.

In Germany, its units can be placed in supermarkets, gas stations, airports and hospitals. In the Gulf, Bullwinkel wants them inside residential and office buildings, replacing some of the complexity of last-mile delivery. “We’re basically bringing a very tiny factory a few square meters into your building,” he says. Catering company Royal Prestige supplies the ingredients and knowledge of local tastes.

The CA-1 manages up to 36 refrigerated ingredient silos alongside automated induction cooking, robotic plating and a self-cleaning dishwasher. Two robotic arms move ingredients through the system with minimal human intervention. It can produce up to 120 hot meals an hour, and a meal such as rice and curry can take around three to four minutes.

Also Read: Ooredoo Qatar’s 5G+ Network Is Built For Machines As Much As People

Five cameras and multiple sensors monitor heat, temperature and consistency, an attempt to approximate what a chef perceives. “You can hear something gets burned, you can smell it, you can see it at some point,” Bullwinkel says. CircusOS, the company’s operating system, adjusts recipes in real time.

You might think of the platform as a threat to kitchen staff, but Bullwinkel frames Circus as a way for chefs to develop recipes and distribute them at scale. With that being said, rising labor costs and shortages are also part of his case for automation.