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

Apple Store app now lets you use gift cards

Before you could only use those Apple Store gift cards you got at the actual site or in physical stores. Now, you can shop even from the Apple Store app for the iPhone and iPad. Yes, the iOS version now supports gift cards. To use a gift card for an order, you just need to tap on the “Add a gift card” option on the Checkout page. You can either manually type the PIN or scan it using the camera of your iOS device.

Source: Cult of Mac | Download: Apple App Store (Free)

Spotify rumoured to be considering Premium-only music content

One of Spotify’s main selling points has to be the ability to listen to the latest tracks for free, even if you did have to listen to ads every couple of songs. But that might change in the future. Spotify is rumoured to be having certain songs or albums made available to paying Premium subscribers amidst reports that they are being pressured by major labels like Sony Warner, and Universal ahead of its October 1^st renewal deadline. It’s said that the CEOs of Sony and Universal are against the ad-based tiers as they think it devalues their catalogs and generate less revenue.

One possibility that could happen is a popular album will be available for listening for the free users for a limited amount of time or they can only listen to a couple of songs from the album. According to reports, the transition might happen early next year, giving Spotify time to work out its deals and update its apps. Now, if you’re a free subscriber and this will happen, will this be enough to make you consider moving to the Premium tier?

Source: Digital Music News | Via: Apple Insider

Get more emojis and use up less data with Snapchat

The latest Snapchat update for iOS and Android brings even more emojis to you, while saving up on the data you consume while on the go. The new Sticker Picker menu lets you put as many emojis as you want anywhere on the screen. You’re no longer restricted to keeping it in line with the text. The new Travel Mode, meanwhile, stops the app from preloading data-intensive Stories when you’re using your cellular connection instead of Wi-Fi. If you want to view a specific Story, you just have to tap on the specific item. This feature can be accessed through the Manage screen via the gear icon on the top right corner.

Source: Engadget | Download: Apple App Store (Free) + Google Play Store (Free)