Newcomer NextBit to launch first smartphone next month

Who says the smartphone market is crowded? Apparently, it isn’t crowded enough. A newcomer with former Google and HTC executives running the company is looking to penetrate the mobile phone industry. NextBit, the company behind Baton a cloud-based tool to help you move files between Android devices, is planning to launch its own smartphone on September 1^st. There aren’t any leaks yet or details released by the company but according to Chief Executive and former Google exec Tom Moss, they’re trying something different with their devices because people are experiencing some sort of phone fatigue. In case you’re wondering, Moss is co-running the company with another former Google exec, Mike Chan, and with former HTC design chief Scott Croyle.

Source: Android Community

Apple Music gains 11 million trial members

Apple Music, which incorporates a music streaming service, an Internet radio station and access to iTunes purchased music has been available as a free trial and already has 11 million users. According to Eddie Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, Apple Music has managed to get 11 million users in around a month of being made available.

"We're thrilled with the numbers so far," said Eddy Cue, adding that of that sum "2 million have opted for the more lucrative family plan at $14.99 a month for up to six people." Apple Music is available for free trial for three months, after which the company will begin charging users.

Rival Spotify has "more than 20 million subscribers and more than 75 million active users".

Facebook tipped to be developing breaking news notification app

To get the breaking news on your mobile device, there’s Twitter or the other newsreaders like Flipboard. But it looks like Facebook plans to enter the game as well. Rumour has it at Facebook is developing a news app that pushes breaking news notifications and links to your mobile device. The app will have you subscribing to the news feeds you like and when breaking news comes in, the app will send push notifications your way. You’ll get a 100-character blurb and a link to the article on the publication’s site. We’re not sure if we need an app to do this, but if this is something you might be interested in. We’ll keep you posted on any confirmations or updates.

Source: Business Insider | Via: Engadget

BMW has no plans to sell Alphabet.com domain

While abc.xyz is an innovative domain name for Google’s new parent company, Alphabet, they would’ve probably liked to have had the Alphabet.com domain. It’s too bad that BMW, who currently owns it, has no plans of giving it up. The German carmaker owns a fleet services company with the same name and uses the domain Alphabet.com. A spokesman from the company told The New York Times that Alphabet is a large part of the business so they don’t have plans on selling it. They are looking into whether Google’s Alphabet has infringed their trademark. But they have no legal action planned.

Alphabet though won’t be introducing products under the company’s name so it probably won’t be as big an issue for them to use that domain name.

Source: The New York Times | Via: Mashable