Andre Yoskowitz
15 Feb 2012 15:13
According to inside sources, it appears HTC is on the verge of unveiling a streaming music service.
The company is working with Beats Audio, in which it has a controlling stake, to create the service which will be the default music client on all future HTC phones and tablets.
Pricing and other details are still being worked out, but the company has long wanted to offer their own music service on HTC devices, say the sources.
In the past, the company made contact with Spotify and other unknown streaming services, but negotiations quickly fell apart. Backed by Beats this time, and the brand muscle of Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, the company has higher expectations and hopes. Iovine is widely regarded as one of the most powerful men in the music industry and he does not like Spotify, so the service will almost certainly be different.
HTC purchased a very large stake in Beats for $330 million last year.