Moto X and Moto Maker coming to US carrier AT&T on 23 August

US carrier AT&T officially confirmed on Friday the launch specifics for Moto X, Motorola's first flagship since becoming a Google-owned company.

The black and white models will become available from 23 August. That includes the woven-patterned ones, too. The 16GB version will cost $199.99 on a two-year agreement, and the 32GB variant will cost $249.99.

AT&T's Next program, which allows subscribers to upgrade mobile devices every year, also offers the 16GB and 32GB Moto X for $27 and $32 per month, respectively.

AT&T customers can go to the Moto Maker website on 23 August to place their custom order, as well. Those who do not want to use Moto Maker online can go to select AT&T retail stores to see a Moto Maker display for in-store customisations.

Read: Motorola unveils Skip accessory for Moto X, unlocks device with a single tap for $19.99

AT&T said it would even have stock for Skip, a thumb-sized clip that taps to the back of Moto X to unlock the device, and it will include a free one with orders for a limited time.

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Audi A3 Sportback with 4G LTE available now, coming to entire A3 family by November

At CES 2013 we were warmed by the news that Audi would be bringing 4G LTE to the Audi A3, integrating a Qualcomm chipset that will let you turn your car into a connected mobile 4G hotspot.

That time has come, with Audi UK confirming that the A3 Sportback with 4G is now available to order, just as the face of 4G in the UK is about to change, with O2 and Vodafone looking to launch 4G services on 29 August.

To get 4G in your A3, you'll need MMI Navigation Plus as part of the technology package, an extra that will cost you ?1,495, but you're not just paying for a 4G hotspot. For that price you're getting a central 7-inch touch display for navigation and control, 10GB of on-board storage for media, a DVD player, SD card readers and a whole lot more.

The 4G SIM card you'll need isn't included in the package, so you'll have to sniff out a data contract giving you plenty of data to consume. Audi candidly says that a SIM card with a flat data rate is needed, while on the website it's suggested you opt for an unlimited data contract, although we assume this relates to the old 3G system, as there's currently no unlimited 4G data contracts in the UK.

The data connection will supply information to the navigation system, like Google Earth and Google Street View information, traffic data and web radio options. You'll be able to access fuel station locations, as well as getting parking and pricing details.

Then you'll also be able to create a 4G WLAN hotspot, so you can connect other devices to the network on the move, meaning your passengers can use iPads and so on.

Audi details that Facebook and Twitter have been made "vehicle friendly" with text-to-speech functions, so you can keep people posted while you're sitting in traffic on a M4.

The 4G option is available to order on the Audi A3 Sportback now, and will be an option on all Audi A3 models by the end of November.

READ: Audi A3 (2013) pictures and hands-on

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Google Street View coming to UK's canals and rivers

The UK's beautiful canals and rivers are to make an appearance on Street View, with the Canal & River Trust securing a loan of a portable Google Trekker backpack allowing it to capture imagery on foot.

Typically, Street View gathers its images from a specially equipped car or tricycle, but the country's canal and towpaths don't make that an option. Using the Google Trekker means that someone can walk the route carrying the equipment on their back.

The Trekker is a 1.2-metre backpack weighing 18kg, incorporating a camera with 15 lens angles. It takes a shot every 2.5 seconds and these 360-dregree images are fed back into Google Maps to be stitched together to make the Street View world you're familiar with.

The Canal & Rivers Trust says it is the first organisation in the UK to secure the Trekker, and the first task is to capture the entire length of the Regent's Canal that runs through London.

"We're delighted to be the first people in the UK to get the Trekker on our backs - it's fantastic that our 200-year-old network is being given a different lease of life thanks to cutting-edge, 21st-century technology," said Wendy Hawk, corporate partnerships manager of the Canal & River Trust.

"The footage we get will allow millions of people from all over the world to see our canals, rivers and towpaths, and will hopefully encourage some people to make a trip to see them."

The project will take in some of the country's most picturesque locations, which should be of interest to walkers and historians alike.

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