Apple is said to turn up audio ambition with new headphones

Uphill battle: Barely two years after splashing out US$3bil (RM11.95bil) for the Beats streaming music and headphones business, Apple is now contemplating buying Jay Z's music-streaming service Tidal despite analysts' belief that adding Tidal won't help get Apple's rhythm back.

Apple Inc’s AirPods earphones have been a surprise hit. Now, the company is planning a push into the high end of the market. 

The Cupertino, California-based technology giant is working on noise-cancelling, over-ear headphones that rival headsets from market leaders like Bose and even the company’s own Beats by Dre brand, according to people familiar with the product’s development. The company plans to launch the headphones as early as the end of this year, but has faced development challenges that might push back the release, the people said.