How to use the Android 7.1 storage manager to free up space

The Android 7.1 update has arrived in developer preview form for anyone with a Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X or Pixel C and the desire to try it out. Among the pretty short list of new Android 7.1 Nougat features is a new tool in the settings called Manage Storage which is worth mentioning.

See also: Here's what you can do so far with Android 7.1's app shortcuts11

Manage Storage is, as you might suspect, a storage manager. It appears in the Storage section of Settings and provides you with two options: to manually free up space or to enable Smart Storage. While one might simply sound like an automatic version of the other, they actually do different things and work well in concert with one another.

Smart Storage

Smart Storage is essentially a Google Photos tie-in that automates the "free up space" option in that app. Enabling Smart Storage will automatically remove photos and videos from your device every 30, 60 or 90 days, but only once they have been backed up to the cloud in Google Photos.

It's a simple option that saves you having to continually agree to the Photos prompt to free up space whenever your device storage is running low. But Smart Storage doesn't automate all of your Android 7.1 storage solutions. There's also a manual tool for clearing up space that works well as a complement to Smart Storage.

Manual cleanup

You'll find the manual cleanup tool in Settings > Storage > Manage storage as well as in the overflow menu of the Storage section. Tapping "Free up space" generates a list of potential items for removal in a couple of categories, including photos and videos, downloads and apps.

You can choose to include or exclude any of these categories via the check boxes and expand them to drill down into your downloads or apps list. Simply select those files or apps you want removed and tap the free up space button. Once you've removed some content you'll be prompted to enable Smart Storage which you can opt-in for if you haven't already.

This storage optimization tool is just another of the many small additions in Nougat that really start to add up. There's clearly a focus on automating tasks in Nougat, from seamless updates to setting notification priority to Doze Mode on the go. Storage management is just another way to improve your experience while still providing you with fine-grained control.

What is your favorite Nougat feature? What is Nougat still missing?

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Want 8GB of RAM?: Samsung unveils the first 8GB LPDDR4 mobile DRAM module

We're one step closer to smartphones with 8GB of RAM today, as Samsung rolls out the industry's first 8GB LPDDR4 mobile DRAM package. Aimed at high-end mobile phones, ultra-thin notebooks and tablets, the new module utilizes four of the latest 16 Gb LPDDR4 memory chips and Samsung's advanced 10nm process technology.

Samsung's 8GB LPDDR4 package is said to be twice as fast as the DDR4 DRAM modules found in PCs (which typically work at 2,133 Mbps per pin), operating at up to 4,266 Mbps. The Korean manufacturer stated that the technology could help "enable virtual machine operation and smoother 4K UHD video playback" in its announcement.

See also: Samsung employees and suppliers told not to comment on the Galaxy S8 (and then do)100

Back in December 2014, Samsung introduced the industry's first 4GB LPDDR4 module. However, the Samsung Galaxy S6 flagship, released later in April 2015, didn't feature the new tech. In its press release, Samsung did not disclose when its new 8GB DRAM module would likely reach consumers.

Do you think the upcoming Galaxy S8 will feature 8GB of RAM? Give us your thoughts in the comments.

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Here’s what you can do so far with Android 7.1’s app shortcuts

Android 7.1 Developer Preview 1 is here, and one of the most interesting new features it brings is app shortcuts.

The feature has been in the works for many months, but now it looks like Google is finally ready to release it to the public. Assuming that nothing goes horribly awry during beta testing, developers will probably start integrating shortcuts into their apps from December, when Android 7.1 is expected to hit the stable channel.

Some of Google's own apps already feature app shortcuts, and if you run Android 7.1 and the Google Now launcher on your Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, or Pixel C you can try them right now.

Just long press on an app's icon – either on the homescreen or in the app drawer – to see if it offers app shortcuts.

The idea behind app shortcuts is to provide quick access to various frequently used actions. So instead of opening an app and navigating to the right spot in the interface, users can simply long press the app icon and jump right to the desired action. It's somehow similar to the right-click menu on Windows and exactly how the feature works on Apple devices.

All of the apps that we've found so far to feature shortcuts are, unsurprisingly, made by Google. Not every Google app has shortcuts right now, but you can expect more to be updated in the coming weeks.

While most actions are strictly utilitarian ("create a contact," "navigate home"), there are also a few fun touches. For instance, Google Photos has an "I'm feeling lucky" option that takes you to a random day in your image archive. Hopefully, you'll rediscover some cool memories.

Here are some shortcuts we've spotted so far:

• Phone (dialer)
  • New contact
• Messenger (SMS)
• New conversation
  • Last used contacts (dynamically generated)
• Chrome
  • New tab
  • New incognito tab
• Gmail
  • Compose
• Photos
  • I'm feeling lucky
  • Free up space
• Clock
  • Start screen saver
  • Start stopwatch
  • Create new timer
  • Create new alarm
• Drive
  • Search
  • Scan
  • Upload
• Maps
  • Navigate to your set locations (e.g. Work, Home)
• Settings
  • Battery
  • Data Usage
  • Wi-Fi
• Camera
  • Take a video
  • Take a selfie
• YouTube
  • Trending
  • Subscriptions
  • Search
• Contacts
  • Add contact
• Play Music
  • Recent activity
  • My library
  • I'm feeling lucky
• Play Books
  • My library
  • Shop

There are several important Google apps that don't offer app shortcuts right now, including Hangouts, Google Plus, Translate, and the Play Store app.

Perhaps the coolest thing about app shortcuts is that you can "copy" the action shortcuts from the long-press menu and turn them into standalone shortcuts that live on the homescreen. Just drag and drop them to do so.

For instance, you can create shortcuts to a favorite contact, to your battery settings, or to the route home in Google Maps. This was possible before with widgets and certain launchers, but now Google is making the process much easier.

Right now, app shortcuts are still a bit underwhelming, but once more developers adopt it – and come up with creative ways to use them – they could provide some real value to users. The feature could even be used in conjunction with a force sensitive screen, which would see Android catch up with iOS in this respect.

Let us know your thoughts.

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Nubia announces the photography-focused Z11 Mini in India

Nubia has just unveiled its Z11 Mini handset for the Indian market, aimed squarely at the photography enthusiast on a budget. The handset was originally announced in China back in April and was priced at CNY 1,499 (Rs. 15,000), but will see a slight price cut for its debut in India.

The hardware remains the same as the original launch, with a FullHD 5.0-inch display, mid-range octa-core Cortex-A53 Snapdragon 617 processor, and a 16MP rear camera. Here's a breakdown of the core specifications:

• 5-inch 1080p display with Gorilla Glass 3
• 1.5GHz octa-core Snapdragon 617 processor
• 3GB RAM
• 32GB storage with microSD card slot
• 16MP Sony IMX298 rear camera, 8MP Sony IMX179 front camera
• 2,800mAh battery

The camera package is the main selling point. The 16MP rear camera boasts high end Sony IMX298 image sensor, f/2.0 aperture, 6P lens, phase detection autofocus, and an LED flash. The 8MP front camera is complemented by Nubia's software suite, which includes skin retouching effects, eight different kinds of filters, and selfie fill-in light for better low-light capture.

The Z11 Mini comes with a few little extras too. There's a fingerprint scanner on the back, which can double up as a camera shutter button or for capturing screenshots. The phone also comes equipped with Nubia's Frame Interactive Technology (FiT), which allows the user to interact with the phone by swiping their fingers up and down either edge of the screen. This can be used to open up apps, clean up memory, or adjust the screen brightness.

The Z11 Mini is being sold as part of an exclusive partnership with Amazon India. The phone will be available on October 21st in Black and White color options, and will cost Rs. 12,999 as an introductory offer.

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The LG V34 doesn’t have a removable battery like the V20

While older phones like the Galaxy S5 managed to combine a removable battery cover with an IP67 water-resistant rating, LG clearly felt the risk was not worth it with the LG V34. The V34 is a smaller, water-resistant version of the LG V20. But it does not follow in its larger counterpart's footsteps – nor those laid down by the likes of the Galaxy S5 – by offering a removable battery.

LG spokesman, Ken Hong told Android Authority that "it was too difficult to keep the removable battery and make it IP rated". So fans of removable batteries and IP ratings will just have to strike the V34 off their wish list.

That said, Hong also confirmed that LG has "no plans to offer the V34 elsewhere". Knowing that his unique phone – what many probably hoped the V20 was – will remain a Japan-exclusive will surely pain those hoping for a wider release in the months to come.

LG has no plans to offer the V34 elsewhere.

Of course, as with all foreign-market exclusives, you can always pick one up via an electronics importer. Just check the compatibility of the V34's LTE bands with your local carrier. Also note that modems not tuned to your particular region may cause additional battery drain, but if you simply must have a smaller, water-resistant V20, then maybe you're OK with that.

Have you ever imported a phone? Do you think LG should offer the V34 globally?

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The Elder Scrolls: Legends enters and leaves the Play Store on the same day

The Elder Scrolls: Legends, a free-to-play card game from Bethesda Softworks, briefly entered the Play Store yesterday. But what appeared to be an 'open beta' for the title was actually simply a mistake by the developers.

In a message sent to Android Police, Bethesda explained the situation:

The Android version of The Elder Scrolls: Legends that appeared briefly on the Google Play store earlier today represented a still in development build of the tablet version of the game, on an internal test server, and was never intended to appear for download. This test version of the game is unfinished and as such, does not represent the final quality or content of the game.

The Elder Scrolls: Legends is a spin-off from Bethesda's long-running Elder Scrolls series of RPGs. Taking place in the same universe, Legends features turn-based card battles similar to Magic: The Gathering and Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft (you don't have to have a colon in your CCG title, but it helps).

Though it's been removed from the Play Store, it's already available on PC, so if you have a laptop or desktop machine you can still take part in the free beta at The Elder Scrolls: Legends website.

See also: 10 best card games for Android23

We'll have more on The Elder Scrolls: Legends when it officially arrives to Android. Have you played Legends? Is it worth waiting for on Android? Let us know in the comments.

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Deal: Best offers on smartphones, VR gears, and more from Amazon Great Indian Festival

If you happen to be in India now and are looking for deals on headphones, virtual reality gears and smart TVs, Amazon is pitching your favorite electronic items at generous discounts as the Amazon Great Indian Festival comes to an end.

While the markdowns for smartphones and tablets are beginning to fall back, Amazon's listing still offers some interesting deals on other products, including the DMG VR headset, Panasonic LED smart TV, a Logitech wireless Bluetooth speaker and lightning to USB cables.

Plus, you can snag these items for a 10 percent discount on website and 15 percent on the app if you use a Citibank credit or debit card on your purchase. Without further ado, here are some of the best deals you ought to check out today:

• Samsung On7 Pro for Rs. 9,990 (down from Rs. 11,190)
• Samsung On5 Pro for Rs. 7,990 (down from Rs. 9,190)
• Moto G, 4th Gen (Black, 16GB) for Rs. 10,499 (down from Rs. 12,499)
• OnePlus 2 (Sandstone Black, 64GB) for Rs. 19,999 (down from Rs. 22,999)
• Pebble Technology Corp Time Round 601-00046 Smartwatch for Rs. 10,879 (down from Rs. 13,599)
• Lenovo Tab3 7 Essential Tablet for  Rs. 7,499 (down from  Rs. 11,800)
• Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 8 Tablet for Rs. 12,999 (down from Rs. 16,000)
• DMG VR BOX 2nd Virtual Reality Headset for Rs. 799 (down from Rs. 5,999)
• Pebble Matrix 3D VR Headset for Rs. 799 (down from Rs. 2,990)
• Panasonic TH-40DS500D 100 cm (40 inches) Full HD LED Smart TV for Rs. 33,990 (down from Rs. 46,900)
• Sony 102 cm (40 inches) BRAVIA KLV-40W562D Full HD Smart LED TV for Rs. 48,350 (down from Rs. 50,990)
• JBL FLIP-3 Splash Proof Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker for Rs. 7,649 (down from Rs.  9,990)
• AmazonBasics Apple Certified Lightning to USB Cable 2-Pack for Rs. 1,599 (down from Rs. 2,785)
• Creative Sound Blaster Free Splash Proof Portable Bluetooth Speaker for Rs. 4,999 (down from Rs. 7,999)

Other cool deals are up for grabs at Amazon India's listing too. Keep in mind, however, that these are flash deals. So hurry and grab them now before the sale runs out!

Visit Amazon India

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