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)

Aperture 3.5 supports iCloud Photo Sharing, uses Apple Maps for Places

You can add one more thing to Apple's list of new hardware and software upgrade announcements: the latest iteration of Aperture. Version 3.5 brings a handful of new features to the OS X app, including iCloud Photo Sharing support that lets you access (or give access to) shared image or video streams. In addition to that, Aperture's Places feature now uses Apple Maps to pinpoint locations where photos are taken -- not a huge surprise considering OS X Mavericks has Cupertino's map app baked right in. The upgraded app can also recognize and support iOS 7 image filters, upload videos up to three minutes long to Flickr and sync with a SmugMug image hosting account. All these features come free along with a barrel of bug fixes, so long as you have Aperture version 3.0 -- otherwise, the app's available on iTunes for $80.

Source: Mac App Store

LinkedIn unveils new iPad app with a fresh look, improved feed and better search

LinkedIn launched its first iPad app in April of 2012, and today the company has revealed its latest version for Apple slates. The new app's changes revolve mostly around an improved feed interface. Aside from gaining a kind of card interface that's all the rage in mobile UI design these days, the feed now incorporates influencer posts and photos and embedded videos can be viewed in all their glory in the feed. Interacting with individual posts (liking, sharing, etc.) can now all be done directly from the feed via a horizontal swipe within each post, which reveals your options for those interactions. Additionally, search function has improved, so now users can look for jobs, people, groups and companies from one convenient place. The app also brings new top-level navigation in the form of a horizontal scrolling carousel that houses personalized categories and items that populate based upon your usage. Sound good? The new app will be available later today in the App Store, but in the meantime, you can read more about it at the source.

Source: LinkedIn blog

Billboard: YouTube building an on-demand music streaming service with free and paid tiers

The rumor mill's been churning out tales of a forthcoming YouTube music streaming service for months now, and today Billboard published a new story with a startling amount of detail about it. According to unnamed sources, YouTube's working on an on-demand music service with both free and paid tiers. Apparently, the ad-supported free version will provide unlimited, on-demand access to a whole host of tracks on any device, thanks to the licensing agreements Google struck for its Google Play All Access music service. Aside from the obvious -- removing ads from the equation -- it's unclear what folks will get for their money should they choose to opt for the paid version.

This new rumor is lended credence when considered in light of last month's revelation that YouTube will be offering offline access to content next month -- a feature that'll likely be expected from consumers who have grown accustomed to such things from the likes of Spotify, Rhapsody and other subscription music services. According to Billboard, YouTube's service has yet to receive a release date, and given how long these rumors have been floating around, it seems reasonable to expect that we won't see the new service anytime soon. For its part, when we contacted YouTube for comment on this story, we, quite naturally, got the same reply as Billboard did:

We're always working on new and better ways for people to enjoy YouTube content across all screens, and on giving partners more opportunities to reach their fans. However, we have nothing to announce at this time.

Source: Billboard

Stats suggest plastic iPhone 5c is catching up with its prettier sibling

After a couple of high-profile reports about how the plastic iPhone isn't faring too well in the laser-cut shadow of the iPhone 5s, here's a bit of evidence to the contrary. It comes courtesy of stat collectors at an app marketing platform called Localytics, who claim they've spotted a distinct upwards trend in the number of Americans using a 5c relative to a 5s. Whereas usage of the flagship metal iPhone was 3.4x higher during the launch weekend, this ratio has drifted down to 1.9x one month later, suggesting that a secondary wave of not-so-early adopters is happy to give the cheaper model a bit more consideration. Of course, these ratios don't tell us anything about absolute sales figures for either handset -- we'll have to wait on first-hand info from carriers or from Apple itself (perhaps as part of today's event) before we know those.

Source: Localytics

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

US Cellular finally gets the iPhone 5c and 5s on November 8th

If you've loyally stuck by US Cellular in the hopes of getting an iPhone 5c or iPhone 5s, your patience is about to pay off. On November 8th, the regional carrier will start selling Apple's incredibly popular new phones. The company didn't say for how much or what colors will be available, but we've reached out to the carrier and will of course let you know if we hear back.

Source: US Cellular

Google hints at Chromecast expansion as its apps go international

With all of the focus on the imminent unveiling of a certain next-generation Nexus smartphone, another of Google's bestselling products could soon be set for a wider launch of its own. The company has begun lifting restrictions on the official Chromecast apps and is now allowing iOS and Android users outside of the US to download them for the first time. We've successfully installed the apps on our devices in the UK and Canada, while additional reports lend credibility to complete international rollout. The Chromecast still finds itself geographically challenged, but those who jumped on Amazon's offer of international shipping will welcome Google's decision to extend the availability of the apps. While we're expecting to see the Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 KitKat launch before the end of the month, we wouldn't be surprised if Google has a Chromecast surprise up its sleeve too.

Via: Android Central
Source: Chromecast (Google Play), Chromecast (App Store)

Yes, Microsoft is working on a Remote Desktop app for Windows Phone

When Microsoft said that it would release its Remote Desktop app for Android and iOS, it left many scratching their heads -- what, no Windows Phone version? There's no need to worry, though, as the company has just promised The Next Web that it's writing a client for its own mobile platform. Redmond can't yet say when it'll release the app, although we wouldn't expect a launch in the near future. Microsoft got a head start on developing for Android and iOS by acquiring technology from HLW Software, which produced Remote Desktop equivalents until this month; there's no such luxury for Windows Phone.

Source: The Next Web
Macworld, iTap Mobile

Camera showdown: iPhone 5s vs. iPhone 5 tested in the wilds of Patagonia

One of our favorite travel photogs, Austin Mann, snapped up an iPhone 5 and flew to Iceland last year in order to pit Apple's latest flagship against its prior king in a bitterly cold camera test. This year, Mr. Mann hopped a flight down to Patagonia in order to pit the iPhone 5s' sensor against that of the 5. One of the more remarkable findings was the dynamic exposure applied to panoramas with the 5s; in his testing, pans that involved dark and light subjects were accounted for properly without the use of HDR. The result was a far more evenly lit panoramic image, whereas prior iPhone cameras tended to blow out a portion of the image to compensate for another portion.

Twitter's new Comcast deal could have you watching TV from tweets

Twitter's making a broader push into your TV room -- if you're a Comcast cable subscriber, that is. The cabler's just inked a deal with Twitter that should see the addition of a "See It" button appear on tweets pertaining to NBCUniversal programming later this fall. According to AllThingsD, the initiative should work something like this: say you're browsing your feed and come across a tweet about "The Michael J. Fox Show" (if it survives long enough), there'll be an associated "See It" button that, when clicked, will take you to a card with more detailed information and, crucially, the ability to DVR or watch the program on TV. The specifics of the deal haven't been fully disclosed and it's not clear which shows will enjoy the "See It" button promotion, but other cablers and TV networks could soon be participating as well. Twitter intends for this unique strategy to spread across content providers, bridging your social networking life and all its real-time buzz with your TV consumption habits.
 
Source: AllThingsD

More Nexus 5 details break cover in leaked LG service manual

It appears that nothing about the hardware of Google and LG's next Nexus smartphone will be left to the imagination by the time it releases. Android Police just got its mitts on what's claimed to be a 281-page draft of a service manual for the DE21. Surprise! The product specs match up nicely with the DE20 that went through the FCC a month ago -- and then some. This leak reveals the best shots yet of both the internals and the exterior, as well as a through listing of every spec. To refresh your memory, we've known those to include a 4.95-inch display, a 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, inductive charging and NFC. This particular model's LTE bands (1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 20) are optimized for Asia and Europe.

U-Verse adds live TV streaming via web and iPad now; iPhone and Android later

Following the lead of several other TV providers, AT&T U-verse has launched internet streaming for some of the channels it carries. Subscribers can tune into up to 108 channels while at home, and about 25 while away from home either on Uverse.com or on the U-verse for iPad app. The new iPad app launched on September 30th and Uverse.com streaming went live on the 4th. A support document posted on the AT&T forums indicates it will come to the iPhone app on October 16th, with support following for Android phones and tablets on the 21st. Conveniently, the old U-verse Live TV service from AT&T's mobile unit has already been renamed to Mobile TV, clearing any possible confusion.

BLU Studio 5.5 smartphone carries big screen, $179 off-contract price

Is that big-name giant smartphone way beyond your price range? No problem: BLU Products has just shipped the Studio 5.5, one of the more affordable large phones that we've seen in a while. The Android 4.2 device won't impress with its 854 x 480 resolution, quad-core MediaTek chip or 4GB of expandable storage, but it also costs just $179 contract-free -- much less than many rivals. The bright colors and dual unlocked SIM slots don't hurt, either. If you're interested in BLU's big budget handset, you'll find it at Amazon and Best Buy in the near future.

Source: BLU Products

BlackBerry sale plans could include Google, Intel, Samsung or others

BlackBerry may have a failsafe in the event that its deal with Fairfax Financial doesn't pan out. Reuters claims that the smartphone maker is now holding early, just-in-case sale discussions with multiple large technology firms that include Cisco, Google, Intel, LG, Samsung and SAP. It's not clear which companies are serious about bidding, but they're reportedly interested in BlackBerry's servers and patents; unsurprisingly, they're not so keen on the ailing smartphone business. None of the involved companies are corroborating the rumor, and there's no guarantees that BlackBerry will sell itself to any suitor besides Fairfax. If there's another big takeover announcement in the future, though, you'll know you had fair warning.

Source: Reuters

Nokia says current high-end Lumias won't get Bluetooth 4.0 support (update: they may)

We hope you don't want to use a heart rate monitor while running with your Lumia 1020 -- you'll likely be out of luck. Nokia Australia claims that Bluetooth 4.0 support won't be coming to existing high-end Lumias like the 820, 925 and 1020. There are "hardware limitations" that prevent an upgrade, the company explains. We've reached out to Nokia for clarification, but the company may have hinted at those limits when launching the Adidas miCoach app -- it mentioned that only the Lumia 520, 620 and 720 would work with Adidas' heart monitors. The restrictions will no doubt frustrate some owners, although we suspect that Nokia may improve its Bluetooth support with the next wave of Lumia hardware.

Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear watch available from AT&T on October 4th

Look, we're with you: pre-orders are for losers. You're giving over your hard-earned cash so some company can bank interest and gauge sales allocations, just to guarantee you get it on day one. You'll be glad to know then, pre-order hater, that Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 smartphone and its Galaxy Gear smartwatch are available for purchase sans pre-order via AT&T's website and stores on October 4th. Those of you less averse to pre-orders will still get your Note 3 a few days earlier on October 1st. Still undecided on the Note 3? Our review's right here to help you make that decision. Dig it!

This could be Sony's Xperia Z1 'mini': a 20.7-megapixel camera and Snapdragon 800 in a 4.3-inch package

Now this is what we'd call bucking the trend: a leaked document obtained by Xperia Blog, allegedly pertaining to Japanese operator NTT DoCoMo, outs a new Sony device that looks to be a mini Xperia Z1. That Sony would be quick to jump on the mobile industry's popular 'mini' craze is unsurprising, but what does seem peculiar is how the company's approaching the specifications of this 4.3-inch Xperia Z1 f. Instead of just retaining the name and shrinking the Triluminos display down (here, it's 720p) while lessening the spec load, it appears Sony's porting over both the 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor and the 20.7-megapixel camera of the Z1. If true, that would explain the Z1 f's increased thickness, making this Honami mini a near-equal to its flagship namesake.

Verizon Wireless website reportedly allowing users to keep unlimited data plans while upgrading

Apparently, now is the time to upgrade your Verizon phone if you want to keep your grandfathered unlimited data plan in tact. According to tips we've received, along with reports from Droid-Life and Android Central, the aforementioned type of users are not being forced into a tiered Max data plan during the upgrade process. There doesn't seem to be any bit of trickery required to make it happen either -- folks just go through usual upgrade motions to get a brand new phone on subsidy, and come out with an order confirmation that has all-you-can-eat data still onboard (see above). We've reached out to Verizon to find out whether this is an issue with its website or a shift in policy, and will update if we hear more. Let us know your results if you're brave enough to try it out.

[Thanks to Minji and everyone who sent this in.]
More Coverage: Droid-Life, Android Central

A.I smartwatch is also a standalone Android smartphone (video)

Smartwatches sure are multiplying faster than rabbits. One of the newest devices hoping to make it to market is the A.I Watch: a companion gadget that's also a standalone Android phone, similar to a Chinese creation we saw in August. According to its developers, you can use the A.I Watch to make and accept calls -- à la Hot Watch -- even if it's not connected to a phone via Bluetooth. That's because it has its own SIM card slot and supports 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM bands, as well as 3G. They also claim that its unspecified 1.2GHz dual-core processor is powerful enough for downloading apps from Google Play, loading Maps for navigation, streaming videos and accessing social networks, among others. The A.I Watch runs Android 4.0.4, has 4GB of storage, 512MB of RAM, a 1.54-inch 240 x 240 touchscreen display, a 500mAh battery and a 5-megapixel camera.