Google rewarding Maps reviewers with 1 TB of Drive storage (VIDEO)

It may not be that well-known, but Google Maps actually has its own Yelp rival built right in, allowing users to leave reviews, photos, and information about restaurants, attractions, and other locations. It's called Local Guides, and now Google is upping its incentives for users who continually make contributions. Among the rewards are the chance to win a new Nexus smartphone and access to beta features before others, but one of best may be 1TB of free storage for Google Drive.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 now includes a warning label to show how to insert the S-Pen

The big roar made over Samsung’s S-Pen design flaw (where it could get stuck and break the S-Pen detection sensor) was brushed off by a simple “read the manual” response, but that doesn’t mean Samsung isn’t going to take preventative measures. While the company maintains that the phone is designed just fine, they’re making sure owners know exactly how the S-Pen should be inserted into its holding bay.

Google+ is rolling out a dramatic redesign with bigger focus on Collections and Communities

Say what you will about Google+, it’s actually grown a pretty strong following, not just among Android enthusiasts, but those that take have taken the time to find their niche. I guess that’s why in a new update hitting the web today (and soon, mobile apps), Google+ is being redesigned from the ground up to focus on doing what it does best: Collections and Communities.

Googler recommends against buying OnePlus USB Type-C adapter

Remember that crusader/Googler/awesome guy who has been reviewing the USB Type-C products out there to make sure they’re 100% compliant with the standard and safe for use? Well, his latest discovery involves an adapter from a high-profile manufacturer: OnePlus.

Leaked roadmap shows Samsung devices getting Android Marshmallow in December

Android Marshmallow is still trickling out to devices. The roll-out has been slow, but more and more devices are getting a taste of Marshmallow every day. A leaked document suggests that Samsung will start updating their top devices very soon. According to the chart, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 andSamsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus will get Marshmallow next month.

Benchmark score shows Exynos 8890 will be the next king of multi-core performance

It's that time of year again in the mobile realm, when we wait impatiently as each major chip vendor unwraps its latest and greatest creation that could be powering your future flagship device. This time around promises and stakes are high, which is why we can't wait for a battle royal to take place, so we can crown a benchmark king (at this point it is likely we are more in it for the numbers and "bragging rights", rather than usability, but it is what it is).

Gmail will soon warn users when incoming email is unencrypted

Google has announced plans to implement a feature in Gmail that’ll notify you when an email is coming from an unencrypted source. This is convenient and important in a couple of different ways:
If you’re unsure that the line isn’t secure you can refrain from sending sensitive information in your email responses.

Huawei develops 3,000mAh battery that charges to 48% in only 5 minutes

Whatever the motivations behind it, the current trend in mobile seems to be devices that are increasingly growing thinner every year. While that’s great for bragging rights, the problem is this sometimes comes at the cost of battery capacity. Sure we have more power efficient processor to tackle this, but at the end of the day they still need mAh to make them tick.

Google launches YouTube Music for an endless stream of your favorite music videos (VIDEO)

Remember those days of coming home from school, flipping on the TV, and watching an endless stream of music videos on MTV? Neither do we. But if there was some alternate reality where something like that happened, YouTube Music would be like that. It’s a new app Google is launching that, as the name suggests, is focused only on music. Just picture what would happen if Pandora and YouTube were to have kids.

Android Wear can switch to LTE, works without your smartphone

Your next (or first) Android wearable needs not for Bluetooth or Wifi. Android Wear's cellular support has finally arrived, just as the first compatible watch starts to ship. LG'sWatch Urbane 2nd Edition crams an LTE radio beneath its circular 480 x 480 screen, with models that'll work on AT&T and Verizon — carriers that are both selling the watch in the US this week.