As we suggested from the very moment we first heard about the HTC and Beats Audio partnership, it looks like a fully Beats branded phone may soon find its way into the hands of consumers. Yes, HTC has been using Beats Audio technology and their logo on most of its new handsets, but BGR is reporting that Beats is taking the lead in designing the hardware and software for a new phone made by HTC. Like most other contracted phones, HTC’s logo will not be present anywhere on the device.
The Beats Audio phone will be powered by Android and will feature a custom UI designed by the Beats team. The rumor also suggests that Beats will include an iTunes-like service (internally know as Daisy) which will let consumers buy media, but will also have monthly subscription options. Sounds like Beats truly did have a plan when it purchased MOG earlier this year.
Beats audio is also looking to step into the connected TV space by partnering with Samsung. Not many details are known about the specific devices or when Beats plans to bring anything to market, but we’re excited to see what Beats and HTC can come up with when they take the design lead with this new Android phone.
Source: BGR
I wonder whether this may be HTC’s best route back to recovery – as a brand name they’ve slipped, for whatever reason, off the forefront of people’s mind. So perhaps manufacturing phones for other brands that are more desirable, like Beats, may actually be more profitable for them.