HTC One gets bonus Google Drive storage as Sense 5.5 update rolls out abroad

Google is taking a page out of Dropbox's book and offering free extra storage for certain HTC One handsets. The HTC One Max got 50GB of storage space out of the box, but we've been tipped that those with the handset's smaller sibling will net an additional 25GB of room in the cloud,all thanks to the international Sense 5.5 (and Android 4.3) update that readers have already started receiving in Europe. These expansions are in addition to the complimentary 15GB of Drive space available to all Google users, bringing the allotted storage totals to 65GB and 40GB for the One Max and One, respectively. There are a few caveats, though. According to Mountain View, the HTC One Developer Edition isn't eligible for this due to its unlocked bootloader. Furthermore, you can only activate this promo once per Google account, which rules out gaming the offer to get even more space. Got all that? Good -- there's a quiz later. 

Source: Google Support, LlabTooFeR (Twitter)

HTC reportedly building an Android smartwatch that will be more than 'just a gimmick'

Bloomberg's gotten word from the perennial "people familiar with the matter" that HTC is building an Android-based smartwatch that's set for release in the latter half of 2014. While other features and a price have yet to be set in stone, the outlet's source says the timepiece will sport a camera. Just two days ago, HTC CEO Peter Chou revealed through a Financial Times report that the firm had worked on an intelligent watch with Microsoft, and noted that current high-tech wristwatches are just "gimmick" experiences. "It has to meet a need, otherwise if it's just a gimmick or concept, it's not for people's day-to-day lives," Chou told FT. "That is an opportunity for us."

And if you were only expecting wrist-worn hardware from the outfit, chairwoman Cher Wang hinted that a tablet is in the pipeline as well. "When the [HTC] tablet comes out it will be something nice and disruptive," Wang said. Clearly, slates and futuristic tickers are filling the company's collective mind, and it looks like 2014 will bring more details (and hopefully its fair share of leaks, too).

Source: Bloomberg, Financial Times

HTC One Max with AT&T-friendly LTE sneaks past FCC

HTC's latest supersized handset might be making its way to the land of the supersized meal, if this recent FCC listing is any indication. The documents show a HTC handset that bears the model number OP3P500, a slight variation of the international One Max's OP3P510 model number which you can see here. Further, the OP3P500 appears to support LTE band 17, a clear sign that the phone is compatible with AT&T and could be making its way stateside some time soon. Of course, no pricing or availability information can be gleaned from the filing, but you can check out our full review of the One Max before you decide if you want such a giant phone in your life. At least it's smaller than the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, right?

Source: FCC

Global HTC One gets Android 4.3 update, improved low-light camera performance

If you're the proud owner of an unlocked HTC One smartphone, you should now have access to an Android 4.3 update. If you picked up a locked device from a US carrier, you're likely out of luck, but global users can now snag the latest version of Jelly Bean. According to Android Highlights, improvements include a battery charging percentage indicator, boosted low-light camera performance, Sense 5 enhancements and increased stability overall. Check the update menu to see if your device is eligible.

Via: Phone Arena
Source: Android Highlights