HTC announces Beats partnership for high quality mobile audio, "Still D.R.E." never sounded better

Earlier today HTC sent out a last minute invite to the tech press about a "major announcement" for tomorrow morning. There were a myriad of predictions including new smartphones, a new tablet, or an announcement to strike up a patent deal with Apple. Oddly it looks like HTC themselves have let the cat out of the bag early and  even more bizarre is that it wasn't anything anyone could have predicted.

It turns out the company that brought you the sound-lovin' Surround is about to be accompanied by some Beats. HTC has announced they're in the process of purchasing 51% of Beats Electronics, the company headed by legendary rap and hip-hop producer Dr. Dre and known for its high-quality sound design (and obnoxiously-priced premium headphones). The deal is set to complete before the year ends.

The $300 million deal will result in the smartphone exclusive of Beats audio technology for HTC devices, while HP still has the exclusive on laptops and tablets. Obviously HTC's acquisition of Beats means we can look forward to new phones that include the brand, but we'll see just how high quality audio these next-generation devices can pump out over those cheap packed-in headphones worth fifty-cents (pun most certainly intended). Press release just after the break.

HTC and Beats by Dr. Dre Set to Introduce New Era in Mobile Audio

Strategic HTC investment to result in Beats-integrated HTC phones this fall

TAOYUAN, Taiwan and SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- HTC Corp., a global designer of mobile devices, today announced a strategic partnership and investment with Beats™ Electronics LLC., the company redefining the audio market with its iconic Beats by Dr. Dre™ audio experience. The two fast-growing brands will focus on bringing high performance sound to HTC phones.

"The HTC and Beats by Dr. Dre partnership is an opportunity for two world-class companies to redefine the smartphone industry and define the future," said Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Beats by Dr. Dre and chairman and CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, which is a division of Universal Music Group and a stakeholder in Beats. "For Beats by Dr. Dre, this represents a critical step in our continued mission to clean up the destruction of audio caused by the digital revolution and reengineer how sound is delivered, so the consumer feels the music the way that the artist intended."

HTC and Beats have been working together to create superior mobile audio experiences for consumers, which will result in a line of HTC devices integrated with Beats sound innovations, available this fall.

"Beats has found a unique way to harness popular culture in a manner that is unlike any other brand today," said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corp. "It's an exciting brand that has been built around providing something very special, and we believe our strategic partnership will provide customers with unbeatable sound on HTC phones. We obsess over every detail of a consumer's mobile experience, and audio is a critical part of that experience."

HTC is known for unifying content, services and devices into unique mobile experiences. And Beats is known for its unique consumer brand appeal and ability to reproduce the full spectrum of sound captured in professional recording studios, allowing consumers to hear music the way the artist intended. Bringing these two great brands together will create superior mobile music and sound experiences while accelerating HTC's entry into the youth and accessories markets globally.

Beats Electronics will continue to operate autonomously - with Iovine as chairman and Luke Wood as president and chief operating officer - with its current business partnerships, including Monster Cable Products Inc., HP and Chrysler Group LLC. Iovine also will continue serving as chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records.

"Our customers have clearly responded to Beats and HTC, and Best Buy is proud to feature their products in our stores," said Brian J. Dunn, CEO, Best Buy. "We are committed to offering innovative and entertaining technologies that help consumers enhance their lives. Our customers expect that from us. The unique HTC Sense experience and the great sound of Beats provide prime examples of that focus."