Google rumoured to launch new YouTube Remix music streaming service as early as March 2018

Google seems to be taking the fight to Spotify with plans to merge YouTube Red and Play Music. These plans have been divulged by the company back in July but we haven’t heard much about it. Now, it seems the new service, which has been internally called “Remix,” might be coming as early as March 2018. The service is described as “Spotify-like on-demand streaming and would incorporate elements from YouTube, such as video clips.” It makes sense for us to have these two services merged as a Play Music subscription already gives you access to ad-free YouTube content and Red originals, might as well put them in one less confusing service.

According to Bloomberg’s report, there is a possibility of Play Music taking a backseat to YouTube here, which will follow internal structuring where much of the Play Music team has been moved to work on YouTube-related projects. If it does launch by March, Google would need to get the music industry bigwigs to be on board. It has been reported that the record industry heads aren’t happy with the minimal revenue being generated by YouTube music videos. This move might appease them. Warner Music Group is reportedly on board already but Google is still negotiating with the likes of Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and independent labels.

Source: Android Authority

Microsoft's foldable phone concept shows hints of a computing future

Microsoft made a name for itself by introducing the 2-in-1 Surface devices, so it stand to reason that the company's new mobile device would have a similar functionality. The above patent illustrations show the 'Andromeda' concept, a truly innovative smartphone that unfolds into a larger device, possibly a tablet.

Microsoft has killed off Windows 10 on phones, or at least has done nothing to sustain that dying promise of mobile Windows. The company's representatives do reference a mobile device that's not a phone bu which has telephony. With Windows on ARM now a nascent reality, can we expect the Surface Phone or Courier device that brings Windows to a smaller convertible form factor.

Two more patents of Microsoft’s foldable mobile device have been published today, and they were first spotted by WalkingCat. Give us a glimpse of what this could look like. A device like this would put Microsoft in a class of its own and could kickstart their presence in 'mobile' while creating something bigger with more functionality if you throw in Continuum and docking functionality.

Source: Thurrott

Report claims Samsung’s ‘unlikely’ to launch Galaxy S9 and S9+ at CES

Samsung Galaxy S8

A few weeks ago rumours have surfaced that Samsung plans to unveil Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ at CES 2018 in January. But a recent report by The Korea Herald claims Samsung shut down this idea saying, “It is unlikely.” The company supposedly plans to stick with its tradition of releasing its next flagship at Mobile World Congress happening by the end of February. At CES, Samsung will reportedly be launching new Galaxy A devices instead including the Galaxy A5 (2018), Galaxy A7 (2018), and Galaxy A8+ (2018).

Some of the rumoured specs of the two devices include running on Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, up to 6GB of RAM, and possible 512GB onboard storage courtesy of Samsung’s newly unveiled eUFS  solution (on top of microSD card support). As expected, these might run on Android Oreo with a new version of TouchWiz UX skinned. Some of the recent leaks for the Galaxy S9 suggest dual camera setups as well. But what might not make an appearance would be the in-display fingerprint sensor as the company reportedly hasn’t worked out the technical issues with this yet.

Source: NDTV

Netflix signs deal with ‘Stranger Things’ producer to develop exclusive content for the service

Just like what Netflix has done with Shonda Rhimes, Netflix has secured a deal with Stranger Things producer Shawn Levy for what’s said to be a four-year, eight figure agreement. During that time, Levy will be creating exclusive TV projects for the streaming service. Levy is known to have directed and produced the Night at the Museum films as well as produced the critically acclaimed sci-fi hit Arrival. The deal comes at an opportune time as the service needs to keep its moment of releasing hit shows as it stumbles over having to fire some of its big talents like Kevin Spacey and Danny Masterson over sexual harassment and rape allegations, which the two have been accused of respectively.

Source: Engadget