HTC: Rumors of Beats removal 'categorically false'
The handset maker tells CNET that Beats Audio technology isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
As I told you last week, HTC is hoping to put its slumping Android fortunes, by mounting a comeback. And just as it is in sports, a lot of people (myself included) love to play Monday-morning quarterback and toss out suggestions.
Sometimes these suggestions quickly turn into rumors and half-truths that need official clarification, which is the exactly the case with recent whispers that HTC would drop Beats Audio technology from its future Android devices in an effort to cut costs.
While HTC had to sell back part of its stake in Beats Electronics and it has stopped bundling Beats headphones in its smartphone boxes, the technology remains in current phones. And as for future devices, HTC told CNET in an e-mail that Beats is here to stay.
"HTC remains strongly committed to Beats Audio and including their innovation in our devices," the e-mail said. "Any rumor of HTC no longer integrating Beats Audio into our devices is categorically false."
You can't get much clearer than that. So seriously, folks, there's nothing to see here. HTC phones will, for now, still enjoy the enhanced audio experience that it has offered over the last year. As for the rumors of HTC cutting costs? Those will be addressed another day, in one form or another.