Is HTC trying to steal Apple iCloud’s thunder? Pocket-lint reports that upcoming HTC smartphones like the HTC Rhyme (pictured) will come with 3GB of free storage from DropBox.
DropBox, an Editor’s Choice pick, provides cloud-based storage and a pretty seamless drag and drop experience. However it may have lost loyal fans this past spring when a security researcher sued DropBox for failing to properly encrypt users’ data; it also didn’t help that DropBox was password-free for about four hours in June.
The 3GB of extra storage is on top of the 2GB of free storage that Dropbox already offers all cell phone owners. Users also receive up to 8GB of free storage for convincing friends to join (you receive 256MB for each referral, up to 32 times). DropBox caps free storage at 10GB, which is twice the amount offered by Apple’s iCloud.
Meanwhile, Apple is preparing to release iCloud and its free 5GB of storage. Apple’s iCloud—Steve Jobs’ last major announcement as CEO—is a way for users to store and quickly access vast amounts of data through a remote server. Jobs said Apple will launch iCloud this fall when it releases iOS 5 and, presumably, a next-generation iPhone.
HTC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Monday, HTC launched the HTC Rhyme, its first smartphone with the updated Sense 3.5. PCMag lead mobile analyst Sascha Segan called the Rhyme “a fashion-oriented Android smartphone” for $200. For more, read his hands-on with the HTC Rhyme and click on the slideshow below for more photos.
Earlier this month, HTC also unveiled the HTC Sensation XE, its first phone equipped with Beats Audio sound and paired headphone.
Meanwhile, if you don’t want to wait for the Apple iCloud, learn how to Build Your Own.
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