Google has bought Zurich-based company Bitspin, known for creating the alarm clock app Timely, but, what does the search engine giant want to do with an alarm clock app?
Timely is considered to be one of the best-looking alarm clock apps available on Android. The app features a typography-focused design and offers a number of other features such as the Smart Rise, which triggers a melody that slowly grows louder, 30 minutes before the set alarm time, in an effort to wake up the user from deep sleep. The app also allows alarms to be set up with a swipe or two from the edge of the screen and offers several themes and sounds that can be unlocked with an in-app purchase. Timely's beautiful design and innovative features are likely the reasons why Google become interested in its developer Bitspin.
In a blog post, the Bitspin team announced that the company is joining Google. "We're thrilled to announce that Bitspin is joining Google, where we'll continue to do what we love: building great products that are delightful to use," the post reads. Google confirmed the acquisition but did not provide further information on the terms of the deal.
Bitspin also assured its users that that Timely will continue to work as it always had. "For new and existing users, Timely will continue to work as it always has. Thanks to everyone who has downloaded our app and provided feedback along the way; we truly appreciate all your support," it said in the blog post. The assurance is a welcome news to Timely fans given that Google is known for shutting down services that it acquires. The company, for instance, is shutting down Bump and Flock services after acquiring them last year.
It isn't clear though whether Google purchased Bitspin outright or if the team was hired by Google. The Swiss firm is made up of a small team of developers who studied computer science at ETH Zurich, an engineering, science, technology, mathematics and management university: Selim Cinek, Jorim Jaggi and Adrian Roos. According to their Google+ profiles, Jaggi and Roos previously worked as Google interns.
The Timely app, as well as previously paid in-app purchases for new themes, is now available at the Google Play store for free.
