Today, you can pick up HP’s newest piece of hardware, the Slate 7, an Android-powered tablet complete with licensed Beats Audio software on board. The tablet is powered by a dual-core ARM Cortex A9 chip clocked at 1.6GHz, 1GB of RAM, features 8GB of internal memory, runs Android 4.1, and sports a not-so-hot 7″ WVA display. What redeems this tablet’s sub-par specs is the price though, set at just $170.

While we would probably recommend you spend the extra $30 and pick up a Nexus 7, this is the beauty of options. 

Specs:

• 7″ WVA 1024 x 600 display
• Android 4.1 “Jelly Bean”
• ARM Cortex-A9 Dual-Core (1.6 GHz)
• 1GB DDR3 RAM
• 8GB internal storage
• 3,500mAh battery
• VGA front-facing camera
• 3MP back-facing camera
• Beats Audio

It might not be an over-powered super slate, but it does have a very reasonable price tag. Thinking about checking one out? You won’t be alone in saying “no.”

Via: HP

HP Slate 7 Tablet Now on Sale – Beats Audio and Nice Design for $169.99 is a post from: Droid Life

When HTC first acquired Beats by Dre, it was seen as a fantastic move that had a lot of upside for both the mobile device industry and the niche of high-quality headphones. Unfortunately for both companies, the money spent never exactly made the project take off, which led to HTC selling back a lot of their stake in Beats recently. But now, it seems that Beats is ready to make some moves on its own. Rumors state that the headphone manufacturer is planning a Beats-themed smartphone sometime soon.

Obviously, the phone itself would be made by HTC since they are still business partners, but the rumored phone will not bear any HTC logos. It will however, feature a custom Beats user interface which we are assuming will be built over Android. Not content to stop there, Beats wants to jump into the music service by making an iTunes competitor and also a system that connects your new phone, TV, tablet and computer so that they can share streaming music between all of them. A juicy rumor for sure.

Does Beats have the clout to enter into the music game where Apple dominates, Google is trying to make headway and everyone else lags behind?

Via: BGR

Beats Rumored to Be Planning Their Own Smartphone and Beats-Ecosystem is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

The HTC Rezound and its Beats Audio enhancements take over the streets of NYC in this latest commercial from Verizon. Flash mob!

Video: HTC Rezound Apparently Inspires Flash Mobs is a post from: Droid Life

Well, that didn’t last too long. Over the weekend, HTC posted that they have sold back 25% of their 51% stake in Beats Audio to the original owners. Long story short, any majority powers that HTC once held over the company are no longer there. But don’t worry, this isn’t the end of their relationship that began only back in August of last year. According to the release, HTC and Beats plan to have a large joint marketing campaign later this year, which could mean we might see a nice new phone for Christmas.

HTC and Beats today announced a realignment of their business agreement that provides Beats with more flexibility for global expansion

1.Date of occurrence of the event:2012/07/21

2.Company name:HTC Corporation

3.Relationship to the Company (please enter ”head office” or ”affiliate company”):Head Office

4.Reciprocal shareholding ratios:N/A

5.Cause of occurrence:
HTC and Beats today announced a realignment of their business agreement that provides Beats with more flexibility for global expansion while maintaining HTC’s major stake and commercial exclusivity in mobile.
Under the terms of the agreement, the founding members of Beats will buy back 25% of its total shares for a total of approximately 75% ownership, with HTC remaining the largest outside shareholder with approximately 25%.
Over the last year, HTC and Beats have made great progress in sound innovation, product integration and brand awareness with successes like the HTC One. HTC and Beats will continue to work closely, including a joint global marketing campaign later this year.

6.Countermeasures:N/A

7.Any other matters that need to be specified:N/A

Via: HTC

HTC Sells Back 25% of Their Beats Audio Shares, No Longer Majority Shareholder is a post from: Droid Life

When HTC released their first set of Beats Audio-enabled devices last year, the fact that the “enhancements” were limited to the native music app were a bit of a disappointment. We wanted Beats in Google Music, PowerAMP, and every other major music application for Android. Unfortunately that just wasn’t the case. As of today though, HTC has given developers access to their Beats API, which means that going forward, this new audio experience can be built into all sorts of apps. Who knows if Google will jump on it as the #1 music app, but one can hope.

Along with the Beats API, HTC released their Lockscreen API, giving devs the opportunity to work their apps into another area of Sense. HTC’s lockscreen tweaks are one of the bright spots of Sense UI, so you have to be excited about this move, as more and more of your favorite apps will be worked in.

They also gave developers access to their mobile device management API and have plans to bring access to their MediaLink HD API. Dev friendly.

Via:  HTC

HTC Releases Beats Audio and Lockscreen APIs for Developers is a post from: Droid Life

(Audio test on Samsung Galaxy Slc without Beats Audio)

(Audio test after installing Beats Audio, more red is better)

The two pictures are proof that Beats Audio actually does have a measurable difference on the sound that your device will output after installing it. The fact that any Gingerbread ROM can have this installed now makes it very exciting. Hit the source link below for the flashable zip. Anyone going to install this?

Via: XDA

XDA Member Ports Beats Audio To Any Gingerbread ROM Via Flashable Zip File is a post from: Droid Life

Sources of Gigaom are reporting that HTC may be looking to launch a music streaming service to go hand in hand with their newly acquired Beats Audio wares. Reports say that the service may launch as early as this month at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. Along with the possible music service, HTC is also rumored to be showing off their newest tablet and smartphone devices at MWC which could be running this new service.

According to the reports, HTC is still working on price plans and other aspects of the service. What is everyone’s feelings toward the direction the HTC and the Beats deal that happened a few months ago is heading? Still liking the idea?

Via: Gigaom

HTC to Launch Music Streaming Service at Mobile World Congress? is a post from: Droid Life

We received a report yesterday that some owners of the HTC Rezound were experiencing an annoying static noise while listening to music or playing any sort of media. As a phone marketed specifically as the ultimate audio device, this was troubling. After posting, our readers (who are the best by the way) commented on whether or not this issue was noticeable on their phones – some were noticing it, some were not.

HTC is under the impression that most are not experiencing the static noise and that it is an isolated issue:

HTC has received a very small number of calls related to audio on the Rezound, but nothing that so far points to a broader issue. We’re continuing to monitor it closely but currently believe the few calls we’ve received are isolated cases.

So what does that mean for owners who are having audio problems? You should call into HTC’s customer service at 866-449-8358. Not exactly sure what they will do, but the thought is that they will look into swapping it out on a warranty replacement or attempting to fix the problem.

Via:  The Verge

HTC: Rezound Headphone Issues are Isolated and Not Widespread is a post from: Droid Life

If there was one area that the HTC Rezound should not have issues with, it would be in the sound department. As Verizon’s first Beats Audio enabled device, and one that is supposed to take sound on your mobile phone to the next level, we can’t help but hope they already have a fix in the works for this one.

According to a handful of our readers and a growing number of forum posts across the Android community, the Rezound is experiencing some sort of static or interference when using any type of headphones including the iBeats that come with the phone. It doesn’t appear to be related to the Beats audio built-into the phone, as the issue can be replicated while streaming or while listening to internally stored music. Some are under the impression that it may have to do with 4G and some sort of interference caused with it activated. Others have been able to replicate the noise no matter what their connection type.

Not all devices are experiencing the issue (including the one I have), but the number that are affected, is growing.

Rezound owners, how is your audio quality? Hearing a static noise at all?

Cheers Richard!

HTC Rezound Having Sound Issues Through Headphones, Including Beats Earbuds is a post from: Droid Life

The HTC Rezound is available today from Verizon for $299 on contract. Sporting a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM, 4G LTE, a 4.3″ 720p HD screen, and Beats audio, this is one of the more beautiful and polished phones you will see on the market today. The jury is still out on whether or not it can last you through a day with its 1620mAh battery, but we have done our best through 4 days to give you an idea of how it’s going. The big question here is, “Can the Rezound take down the iconic naming of the DROID RAZR along with Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus?” It’s going to be a tough battle for all three – what a great time to be a potential new smartphone owner. Our full review of the device should be up within the next couple of days. 

Buy.

Click here to view the embedded video.

HTC Rezound Available Today From Verizon for $299 is a post from: Droid Life

Verizon is launching the HTC Rezound on November 14, priced at $299 with a new two year contract. Buyers will also find a pair of custom Beats Audio ear buds inside the packaging that will go along nicely with the new audio software. HTC has hinted at an ‘aggressive‘ updating strategy for bringing Ice Cream Sandwich to their newest 4G LTE compatible device by early 2012. 

Chipset:

• 1.5 GHz Dual-Core Qualcomm MSM8660
• Qualcomm MDM9600 LTE Radio

Sense Version:

• Sense 3.5

Camera:

• 8.0MP w/ auto focus, f/2.2, 28mm wide angled lens
• 1080p video recording
• 2MP front-facing camera

Memory:

• 1GB DDR2 RAM
• 16GB Memory
• 16GB microSD

Screen:

• 4.3″ super LCD WVGA 1280×720

Dimensions:

• 5.1″ x 2.6″ x .54″ (LxWxT)

Battery:

• 1620 mAh

HDMI Out:

• Yes

Compatibility:

• Bluetooth 3.0 + Headset
• Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Wireless Charging
• Compass
• Light Sensor
• Micro USB
• G-sensor

Audio:

• Equipped with Beats Audio Technology

HTC Rezound Official Specs is a post from: Droid Life

You knew it would come eventually, right? HTC wasn’t just going to stop with smartphones that were equipped with Beats by Dre technology, they had to bring it to tablets too.

In an interview with the press yesterday to discuss their new line of headphones, Beats gurus Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre spoke on the importance of pairing their products with tablets. The weird thing here was listening to Jimmy talk about “the heads of the company that makes that thing” when referring to, what we are assuming is HTC and their tablets. He would not for whatever reason, mention them by name. Sounds like he’s really invested in this partnership, eh?

During the video we have attached below though, you will see a ton of shots of the HTC Flyer with a massive beats logo on it as well as it paired with some of their new wireless headphones. When you purchase the soon-to-be-announced HTC devices that come Beats-equipped, these are the headphones you will likely see. During years of testing, they finally found a way to make sound over Bluetooth live up to their standards.  

Click here to view the embedded video.

We know that many of you are not the hugest fans of Beats headphones, but as long as prices of devices aren’t skyrocketing with a pair included, I would hope that you would all welcome them over those stock garbage ear buds that we have seen in the past.

Via:  2dopeboyz

Cheers Jason!

Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine Unveil New Wireless Beats Headphones, HTC Tablet Integration on the Way? is a post from: Droid Life

Today in other Android news…

• Sprint could launch their own LTE network as early as 2012.
• HTC is holding a Beats-inspired event in the UK October 6 – probably for the Bass.
• Speaking of Beats by Dre, the EVO 3D has a ROM with Beats software included.
• Nexus S has a new update to Android 2.3.6 that we are hoping fixes tethering issues.
• Product pages for the T-Mo Galaxy SII and HTC Amaze 4G are up with lots of goodies.

To stay up-to-date on the latest non-Verizon Android news, be sure to subscribe to Android Life.

Sprint Going LTE, HTC Beats Event, Nexus S Android 2.3.6 Update [from AL] is a post from: Droid Life

A new HTC Sensation outed by the folks at CNET has almost identical specs to those that we expect to see in the Vigor here in the states on Verizon.  While we clearly trust our source that provided us with these detailed specs, this is a pretty solid second confirmation that they were spot on and that the HTC Vigor (first pictures of it) will most definitely be a beast.  We were told that it will sport a 4.3″ HD screen, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, and Beats by Dre integration – all matching this leak of the new Sensation.

Even better though, is the fact that this phone along with another from HTC, will both include some form of Beats Audio headphones or earbuds.  The new Sensation is getting earbuds, while some are also set to include full ear covering Beats Solo headphones.  No telling yet what the Vigor will come equipped with, but the earbuds seem more likely knowing that this very similar device is as well.

More on the new Sensation over at Android Life.

New HTC Sensation Will Have Beats Integration, HD Screen and a Bigger Battery – Sounds Similar to the Vigor [from AL] is a post from: Droid Life

HTC just ended their highly hyped teleconference. They have officially announced their partnership with Beats By Dre, and now own 51% of the brand. It was not completely clear last night whether they would be offering free Beats when buying an HTC phone, or what exactly the deal meant for consumers. As of today, we now know that the deal will bring Beats audio processors into HTC handsets, and will be completely integrated. Sorry for everyone hoping to snag a free set of Beats. 

In other news, Best Buy announced that if you buy an HTC phone this weekend, they will give you 20% off a pair of Beats. So if you’re looking to have a very expensive weekend at Best Buy, go ahead and take them up on that offer. We know a lot of audiophiles do not see eye to eye on Beats, but we think this is a pretty sweet partnership. Anyone looking forward to the new Fall/Winter lineup of HTC devices?

Via: Phandroid

Best Buy Announces 20% Off Purchase Of Beats Headphones, When Buying An HTC Phone is a post from: Droid Life