Google snaps up Zurich-based app developer

Bitspin is known for developing its Timely alarm clock app for Android phones and tablets, which will now be offered for free on Google Play.

The company, formerly known as Team Tasks, bills itself as a “small team of developers who previously studied computer science at ETH Zurich”, Switzerland’s top-ranked university.

“While studying we have gained experience in entrepreneurship and product design by releasing several products and consulting for large Swiss companies,” the Bitspin team says on its website.

The company said its mission was to “create new apps and services with a focus on user experience and design.”

As part of Google, it said it would “continue to do what we love: building great products that are delightful to use”.

Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The development marks a fast rise for the company that only released its centrepiece Timely app in August last year.

Since then the app, featuring customized wakeup sounds and the capability to synchronize different devices, has been downloaded by up to five million users, according to Google Play Store.

When it was launched in German and English versions, Bitspin described Timely as a “beautiful blend of alarm clock, stopwatch and timer”.

It was released for free but upgrades for “premium content” had to be purchased, although these will now be free.

For more information about Bitspin, click here, and check out the YouTube video below for more about the Timely app.