Back in 2011 HTC bought a 51% stake (worth $309 million) in high-end headphone maker Beats Electronics. Now Beats buys back 25% of the company from HTC in a move the 2 companies describe as a "realignment."

The buy-back apparently "provides  Beats with more flexibility for global expansion while maintaining HTC's major stake and commercial exclusivity in mobile."

Why did HTC even buy a headphone maker to begin with? The reason lies in the statement above-- the (still exclusive) use of Beats technology, a means for HTC to distinguish itself in a crowded mobile market.

Beats is best known for its partnership with rapper/music producer Dr. Dre, as well as for Monster's role as maker and exclusive distributor. It recently purchased music streaming service MOG. 

Will HTC still get access to Beats-powered music-as-a-service?

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