Free Up Storage Space and Keep It from Getting Full on Your Nexus 5

As smartphones evolved, so does the apps and games that go with them. These days, the apps and games have better animation, higher resolution, and have more features that you can think of. And as smartphones race to have the best cameras in the market, you should expect high-definition videos and high-resolution photos. Unfortunately, having all these perks will put a strain on your phones storage space.

The more you use your smartphone, the faster the megabytes will pile up. And before you know it, your internal storage space would be on its limit. That is why, it is best to do a little "spring cleaning" on your phone to free up some storage space and keep it from getting full. To learn more, check out these simple tips and tricks to free up storage space on your Nexus 5.

1. Delete Unwanted Downloaded Files

Nexus 5 has a storage management interface that helps you better manage your internal storage space. To delete unwanted downloaded files, simply go to Settings, and then under DEVICE, tap Storage. From there, tap Downloads to start with the cleaning process. This will take you to a list of all the files you have downloaded on your Nexus 5.

Next, select the unwanted file you want to delete, long press it, and then tap any other files you no longer need. Once you are satisfied with your selections, tap the Delete icon (trash bin) located at the top-right corner of the screen to remove the files.

2. Clear Cached Data

Cache is the data that has been stored by your apps. Your cached data will build up the longer you use your Nexus 5 smartphone. To clear your cached data, tap the back button on your Nexus 5 to go back to the storage management screen. From there, tap Cached data, and then tap OK to clear out the cached data for all your apps.

3. Use Cloud to Store Your Photos and Videos

Photos and videos occupy the largest storage space on your phone. But since we all want to store these memories and have access with them without compromising precious storage space, it is best to store them in the cloud. Using cloud will allow you to keep your photos and videos, and still have access to them anytime, anywhere without having to sacrifice your phone's storage space. To use cloud, simply open the Photos app. It will then prompt you to sign in to your Google account unless you have already done so. Next, you will be asked to back up your photos. Tap Turn On to start syncing your photos to Google's servers. However, if you have declined this when you signed in, simply tap the menu icon (three-dot), tap Settings, and then select Auto Backup.

4. Delete Your Local Photos and Videos

Once you have synced your photos and videos to cloud, you can delete your photos and videos from your Nexus 5 to free up some storage space. Since these photos and videos were already stored in cloud, you will be able to access them anytime you want.

To delete your local photos and videos, go to the Photos app, slide out the side navigation menu on the left of the screen, and then select Folders. From here, long press the photos and videos you want to delete, and then tap the Delete icon (trash bin) located at the top-right corner of the screen.

5. Delete Photo and Video Thumbnails

Every time you take a photo or capture a screenshot on your Nexus 5, the Camera app will automatically create smaller versions of these photos to be used as thumbnails in the Photos app. These thumbnails, unfortunately, take up space and will pile up as time goes by. And the sad thing is that these thumbnails remain even after deleting the original pictures. However, you can easily clear out the thumbnails using the Sliding Explorer app, which is available in the Google Play Store free of charge.

To delete your photo and video thumbnails, go to the DCIM folder on your SD card. Long press the .thumbnails folder, and then tap the Delete icon (trash bin) to remove it.

6. Block Thumbnail Images from Saving

Once you start taking photos and screenshots with your Nexus 5, your Camera app will automatically create a .thumbnails folder and will again save smaller versions of the pictures you have taken. To prevent your Camera app from automatically doing that, go to the DCIM folder on your SD card, create a new file by tapping the + icon or the Add option, and then tap File. Name the file with the exact same name as the folder you have deleted. In this case, .thumbnails. This will prevent a new .thumbnails folder from being created as soon as you take more pictures, since a file with that name already exists in the DCIM folder.

7. Clear Play Music's Cache

The Play Music app in your Nexus 5 caches the songs that you have already played. To periodically free up storage space, go to Play Music's Settings, and then tap Clear Cache.

10 Windows Phone 8.1 Tips and Tricks You Should Know About

Microsoft has a free update to Windows Phone 8 users that will add a notification center, an intelligent Siri-like personal assistant, and new home screen options. The Windows Phone 8.1 update has not been officially released to the public. The exact date when the update will be available will depend on your smartphone manufacturer. As Microsoft stated, "The distribution of these incremental updates may be controlled by the mobile operator or the phone manufacturer from which you purchased your phone, and installation will require that your phone have any prior updates. Update availability will also vary by country, region, and hardware capabilities." However, if you want a sneak peek of the Windows Phone 8.1 update, you can download the developers preview here. For some Windows Phone 8.1 tips and tricks, check out the list below:

10 Windows Phone 8.1 Tips and Tricks You Should Know About

Swipe Down on Action Center for Detailed Status

The Action Center can be accessed by swiping from the top of the screen down. This will provide you with information and functions including recent emails and text messages, updated apps, enable Bluetooth, Airplane mode, and more. It even allows you to view detailed status on your battery, carrier connection, date, and more.

Pin Battery Saver and Storage Sense to the Start Screen

With the Windows Phone 8.1 update, the Battery Saver and Storage Sense features have been included in the App list. Because of this, you can now pin them to your Start screen. Microsoft even made them Live tiles to make them reflect your current battery status and current storage space (both phone and SD card storage).

Tell Cortana What News Topic You Want to Follow

Cortana is Microsoft's equivalent to Apple's Siri and Android's Google Now. It is an intelligent personal assistant that is capable of web searches, hands-free calls, scheduling appointments, identifying current weather, launching apps, and so much more. Cortana's Update me on this news topic is a feature that will track the topic you want and show any news in your Daily Glance. You can tap on the topic to enable notifications if there are new stories, as well as pin it to your Start screen.

Display the Weather Directly on the Calendar

Among the many Calendar enhancements made with the Windows phone 8.1, one of the coolest is its ability to display the weather forecast for each day of the week to help you plan your schedule and appointments more efficiently based on the expected weather bulletin. To display the weather directly on the native Calendar app, go to Calendar > Settings > Preferences, and then tap the Use my location to show the weather and suggested places box.

Capture a Screenshot

To capture a screenshot in Windows Phone 8.1, press the power button and the volume up key simultaneously.

Share Your Wi-Fi Network

Wi-Fi Sense is a new feature introduced in Windows Phone 8.1 that allows you to automatically connect to local, open Wi-Fi networks. In addition, Wi-Fi Sense also allows you to share the Wi-Fi credentials of your trusted networks with your Skype, Outlook, and Facebook friends provided they have Windows Phone 8.1 devices as well. With this, your friends will have access to your Wi-Fi network, but they will not see the actual Wi-Fi password.

Scan Barcodes and QR Codes

Using Cortana will make you lose the ability to scan barcodes through Bing Vision. But, you can still access Bing Vision, although not as conveniently as before, by going to Camera > Lenses > Bing Vision.

Close Apps with a Swipe of a Finger

Windows Phone 8.1 will allow you to close apps with just a swipe of a finger. To do this, access Windows Phone's multitasking menu by long pressing the back button. Once inside, you can quickly go to a previously opened app, or close it by either pressing the x icon or swiping the app downward.

Swipe Down on the Lock Screen to Access Action Center

With Windows Phone 8.1, you will be able to access Action Center without unlocking your screen so you can toggle the Quick action buttons and dismiss alerts. To do this, just swipe down on the Lock screen even if it requires a PIN code. However, if you want to read anything, you will need to enter the PIN code.

Set Quiet Hours

Quiet Hours is Windows Phone's equivalent to the Do Not Disturb feature in iOS. With Quiet Hours, you will be able to set the time between which you do not want to be disturbed. Your Windows Phone will then stop all notifications or any noise during the hours you have specified so as not to bother you. That is unless you have an incoming call from an important person, in which case you will be alerted of the call or the text message.

These are just a few tips and tricks for your Windows Phone 8.1. Surely, more will come out once it is officially released to the public.

Gadgets You'll Still Gonna Love Next Year

When it comes to shopping for tech gadgets, there are times wherein it's worth to wait for a new and improved model of the device you've been eyeing on for a quite a while now.

Here are some tech products that you'll never regret on buying even until next year when its better successor arrives.

SSDs

SSDs or Solid State Drives provide a high-speed, low-power data solution both for personal and enterprise use. Having an SSD is ideal for someone who is willing to pay more for faster performance, and those who don't mind getting limited storage capacity or can just work around that. Though the prices of SSDs may drop over time, new and upcoming models won't be significantly faster than what we have today for a long time.

An SSD-equipped PC will boot in seconds, certainly under a minute. A hard drive requires time to speed up to operating specs, and will continue to be slower than an SSD during normal operation. A PC or Mac with an SSD boots faster, launches apps faster, and has higher overall performance. Whether it's for fun, school, or business, the extra speed may be the difference between finishing on time or failing.

Windows 7 Notebooks

Even though Microsoft's Windows 8 offers better performance and a handful of touch-friendly features, a number of consumers were disappointed by its new Start-button-no-more UI and the high learning curve needed to master its navigation.

New computers are now rolled out with the new Windows 8 OS. Though if you still prefer the traditional look and feel of Windows interface, there may still be a slim chance of finding slightly older models that come with Windows 7. As days go by, stocks of Windows 7-based computers will dwindle and there'll come a day when all you can find is Windows 8. If you buy a Windows 7 notebook and decide later that you want to upgrade to the new OS, you're going to shell out around $40 or less.

Monitors

Even though you use a laptop almost everyday, it's still recommended to have full-size monitors both at home and at work. The more pixels and the larger screen you have, the more productive you'll be. There are lots of affordable 23-inch, 1920 x 1080 screens today that you can get under $150. However, if you can stretch your budget a little bit more, it's better to get an LED-backlit monitor that has 1920 x 1200 resolution. Even if more and more manufacturers are integrating touch screen displays since last year, these monitors can serve you well for many years to come.

Media Tablets

You don't have to wait if you want a low-cost, high-portability media tablet because you can already get tablets like the Amazon Kindle Fire HD, Google Nexus 7, or Barnes and Noble Nook HD for $199, as well as the iPad Mini. Since none of these companies refreshes their flagship products more than once a year, you'll have no regrets if you buy one now. They'll also be hard pressed to improve the high-res screens, speedy CPUs, and long battery lives even by that time. Prices for these tablets are also not expected to drop its price that much, otherwise manufacturers that sell them would be taking in a huge loss.

Printers

Printers keep getting better like most technologies, however the differences are not much of significance that most of us would hardly notice. If you're going to buy a decent quality printer or an all-in-one right now, it should still be more than adequate five years from now.

The image quality that you can get from a budget printer is good enough when printing your own high-quality color photos. When asked which printer type is better, a laser printer is better than going with an inkjet since laser printers with locking paper drawers have a tendency to suffer from lesser jams.

Set-Top Boxes

Want to have a better content viewing experience? Smart TVs let you view streaming video but can be an extremely expensive solution. Luckily, there are affordable set-top boxes like the Roku box and Apple TV, which allows you to stream your favorite content directly from the Internet to your home theater system.

There will always be new models that will come out eventually, but since the models available on the market today already have a 1080p output, that should be enough to be the main feature that you should need for now and for many years to come. For example, the Roku 2 XS is perfect for streaming content from services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and hundreds of other video channels while offering a USB port for connecting to local storage for just $99.

External Hard Drives and USB Flash Disks

The birth of USB 3.0 has been the biggest advancement in the external storage technology in the past few years. If you buy a USB 3.0-compliant hard drive today, most likely you'll still be happy with it in 2014 and beyond. While external SSDs can possibly get cheaper over the next few years, it still won't reach price parity with external hard drives for a long period of time. Wireless hard drive, which is a relatively new category, will continue to improve over the next few year, however, it still won't match the speed and ease-of-use that you can get from a simple USB 3.0 drive.

eReaders

If you fancy reading on a grayscale eInk screen, then the eReader is just the right gadget for you. You can get quality eReaders such as the Kindle for $69 and the Nook Simple Touch for $99. It's actually hard to imagine what other features you'd want to get from an eBook reader that you won't get now. Well, maybe companies such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon will roll out color eBook readers, but right now that technology is somewhat cost prohibitive and unlikely to be attractive to the consumers.

If you already have most, if not all, of these trending products we showed you, then it's best to take very good care of them. Devices like these can be very useful and can meet all our tech-related needs, now and for the years to come.

5 Recommended External Drives for Your MacBook Air

Just bought a brand new MacBook Air but don't know what to do with your old CDs, CD-ROMS, and DVDs? Don't think about sticking them to your laptop, simply because the MacBook Air doesn't have an optical drive. Don't know what to do next? Calm down and check out these five external optical drives you can plug right in and hear that long-lost whirring sound once again. Forget the Blu-ray or Thunderbolt because those are out of the topic for now. Below are just straightforward USB 2.0 based drives that can be used for disc jockeying, burning and ripping, and installing software.

So, without further ado, let's give it a whir!

Apple SuperDrive

Probably the optical drive that the Apple boss, Steve Jobs himself, used. You must really love Apple product if you still want to buy this one at a price that's pretty hard to be justified. The slot-loading drive measures .47 x 5.47 x 0.67 and measures 0.74 pounds. You can take it anywhere -- only slightly bigger than a CD case, the Apple USB SuperDrive slips easily into your travel bag when you hit the road and takes up little space on your desk or tray table when you're working. This aluminum-plated drive costs around $79.

Samsung Portable Optical Disc Drive

Aside from its eye-candy colors, the Samsung portable optical disc drive features a sleek, rounded design with a curved surface and a metallic center line. With a variety of vibrant colors to choose from -- black, blue, pink, red, silver, white, and yellow, this optical drive is also a winner of the 2010 if product design award. This slot-loading drive measures 6.2 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches and weighs 0.93 pounds. It costs $49.99.

Targus DVD-ROM External USB 2.0 Drive

With the Targus DVD-ROM External USB 2.0 Drive, you can easily watch movies, listen to music, or view pictures right from your new MacBook Air. The ergonomic, toploading design is easy to use while the clearly marked buttons make it simple to operate. To operate, simply connect to a USB port and the drive is all ready to go; no additional power source needed. The USB cable conveniently attaches and stores under the device, making it a sleek and slim form factor for travel. The price of the Targus external drive is $59.99, with top-loading optical drive measures at 9.2 x 7.8 x 2.1 inches and weighs 0.75 pounds.

ASUS Slim SDRW-08D2S-U

Into diamonds? You'll surely love with ASUS' slick and glossy optical drive -- the Slim SDRW-08D2S-U because of its diamond-cut design. The lattice-like appearance of the drive is inspired by diamonds, making the product unique from every angle. Burn disc with enhanced data protection in just 3 quick steps and intuitive Disc Encryption lets you do this easily. Tray-loading drive measures 5.59 x 6.18 x 0.83 inches, and weighs 0.69 pounds. This gorgeous external drive costs $59.99.

Toshiba Portable SuperMulti Drive

Watch movies, load software and back-up files can’t be easier with the Toshiba Portable DVD SuperMulti Drive. Weighs at only 12 ounces and powered directly from your computer, the drive offers easy portability to burn and play CDs and DVDs anywhere, anytime. Its small, lightweight and cutting-edge design is perfect for your cool MacBook Air. Simply plug in the USB port of your PC and play - there’s no need for an extra power supply. Measures 5.7 x 79 x 5.8 inches, but wicked-light at 0.213 pounds. This SuperMulti drive costs a whopping $99.99.

Which one is your pick? Please feel free to add more on the comments section below.

Effective Web Design Tips for Your New Website

Almost everyone now has a website. Be it a company website, blog site, business site, etc. And like all website owners, you want your new website to be a hit.

There are many factors that can affect the usability of a website. As Steve Jobs once said, "Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works." In designing your new website, you need to consider not only the form (how it looks), but also the function (how easy it is to use). Remember that it is the user and not the website owner who judges whether the website is effective or not.

Below are the basic web design tips to help you create an effective, aesthetically pleasing, easy to use, and engaging website:

Effective Web Design Tips for Your New Website

1. Load Time

No matter how amazing your website is, no one will see it if it takes forever to load. According to Compuware, the old eight-second rule, which is the maximum time consumers generally wait for a website to load, has been reduced to the three-second rule. If your website takes more than 3 seconds to load, optimize your image sizes, simplify your codes, and upgrade your servers.

2. Who and What

When a user accesses your website, they should be able to tell outright what it is for and it should always be able to cater to your visitors needs.

3. The Kiss Principle - Keep It Simple

Your website should be self-explanatory and aesthetically appealing to your users. You should always strive for simplicity instead of complexity.

4. Clear Navigation

You need to have a clear navigation to make your site visitors go through your website. To achieve this, you need to make sure all important links are at prominent places. This is where you can apply the "F" pattern design. Based on eye tracking studies conducted, it is identified that people scan computer screens in an “F” pattern. Most people see is in the top and left of the screen. Rarely do they see the right side of the screen. So, rather than forcing the visual flow, try to design around the reader's natural behavior by displaying your information in order of importance, which is from left to right, and top to bottom.

5. Use the White Space

The white space is the space between the elements in your website. It is an essential element in web design that is often neglected. It is used to direct the viewer's eye to the important parts of the website and it helps in balancing the design and readability. Also, it makes the page appear modern and uncluttered, which helps the viewers absorb the content of the site more easily. As Luke Wroblewski said, "for designers, white space is often as important as the content" so, avoid cluttering your page with too many images, backgrounds, and colorful fonts. Minimize the use of graphics and use a lot of white space.

6. Choose the Right Color

A well thought of color palette can enhance the viewer's experience and will keep them around longer. Colors can influence the emotion, set the mood for a design, and attract the attention of a viewer to certain parts of your design layout. Use complementary colors to create balance and harmony. Use contrasting colors for the text and background to make reading easier on the eye. Finally, use vibrant colors to create emotion. However, they should be used sparingly (e.g. for buttons and call to actions).

7. Typography

Typography, like white space and color, can be used to effectively draw the attention of viewers to key elements in a site layout. Try to use readable and professional looking fonts. Sans Serif fonts (fonts without decorative finishes) such as Arial and Verdana are easier to read online. Keep your design streamlined by using a maximum of 3 typefaces in a maximum of 3 point sizes. Also, keep in mind that 16px is the ideal font size for easy online reading.

8. Mobile Friendly

Keep up with the trends by creating a responsive web design (website that adjusts to different screen widths). Your website should look good in different platforms and devices, whether it is being viewed on an iPhone, Android tablet, a desktop computer, or a Windows phone.

These are just some of the basic design principles you can apply in creating a beautiful and functional website. Have fun designing your new website!

Simple Tips to help You Make an Effective Blog for Your Business

Corporate blogs are considered essential because they help bring information to current and prospective customers. You can bash away about blogs, but you cannot close your eyes to them because blogs are simply the most explosive outbreak in the information world since Internet came out -- and they're going to shake up every corner of the business world. Regardless of your business' nature, whether it's a flower shop, made-to-order accessories, or a catering business, blogs are inevitable and cannot be ignored or postponed. With the constant changes both in the Internet and business world around us, blogs are not a business elective, but instead they're now a prerequisite. In order to have an effective business-oriented blog, it must be relevant, trustworthy, and responsive, otherwise, your blog will just be a waste of your time and money. Below are four simple tips that will help you make a blog that works for you, your clients, and your bottom line.

Know Your Platform

First things first, decide whether you want to put up your business blog on Tumblr, WordPress, TypePad, or other platforms you may know of. Make sure you are aware who your target demographic is and choose a platform that would reach your audience the most. WordPress is the most commonly used platform in blogging and offers the most customization options compared to other platforms.

After you've chosen the most suitable platform for your blog, you'll need to decide whether you want to host it yourself or have a third party host it. Hosted sites allow you to set up your page for free in minutes, however, you don't technically own your content and it often comes with an awkward URL format. If your plan is to make a sturdy blog, you may want to consider self-hosting. Most of the blog platforms provide drag and drop editing features, making it easier for anyone to create a simple but good-looking blog, even for those who do not have an experience in creating websites.

Make a Relevant Blog

A successful blog should be able to solve problems for readers or provide new insights, making it educational and entertaining at the same time. For example, if your blog contains your experiences and insights of what it's like to manage a coffee Internet shop, make sure to offer tips on how you manage your business on a daily basis, as well as your on-duty experiences that will serve as a guide to those who are planning to start up a business like yours. Try to be bold with your content and provide helpful insight on what you do best -- whether it's a bestseller coffee recipe or an advice on how to provide fast and affordable Internet connection to your customers. Readers will surely come back to your blog if they find your content helpful and interesting.

Become a Trusted Resource

With the freedom of use and expression on the Internet nowadays, almost anyone can post anything even if they're not really sure what they're talking about. Make sure your readers know that you're really an expert in your industry. Indicate your credentials on your blog's About Us section, as well as other articles you've written for other sources to provide customers additional references of your profession. In addition, make sure that you interact with your audience both on the site and on social media. This will give them the impression that your presence is visible and accommodating for any concerns that they may have. Make it a point to keep your social media profiles in line with your site content so that readers will have a clearer picture of your personality, as well as your expertise in the industry.

Post Regularly

Keep in mind that active blogs also keep your company at the upper ranks when it comes to search results. Offer your customers something new on a regular basis so that they'll have a reason to come back to your blog site. If someone adds your blog to their RSS feed, it's a must that you give them frequently updated content to keep up with. To make it easier for you to stay on track, create an editorial calendar, whether you're planning a weekly or monthly content update.

Since the social media aspect is now also a part of almost everybody's lives, take time to develop and enrich your skills in making informative and entertaining content, especially since you're in the business industry. This is a skill that every entrepreneur must have, alongside with the harnessed talent and expertise in the chosen industry, in order to achieve the goals of succeeding in your chosen business endeavor.

Securing Your PC By Permanently Deleting Files So They Can't Be Recovered

Most Windows users think that emptying the Recycle Bin will totally rid them of their deleted files. What they do not know is that the files emptied from the Recycle Bin can still be recoverable through the use of a recovery software. The reason behind this is that the delete operation in Windows only removes bits of information from the files, making them appear to be deleted from your operating system. Deleting files merely marks the space the file occupied on your drive as reusable. So, until that space is overwritten, the file can still be recovered. This is bad news especially if you want to get rid of important financial documents, sensitive company files or manifesto. It's a good thing there is a software you can use to ultimately shred sensitive files you want to get rid of.

Eraser is an advanced security tool that allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns. This software can be used in Windows XP (with Service Pack 3), Windows Server 2003 (with Service Pack 2), Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2.

To learn how to permanently delete files using Eraser, follow the steps below:

Permanently Shred Files So They’re Unrecoverable

The first thing you need is to download and install Eraser on your Windows computer. You can download Eraser free of charge here.

Once Eraser is installed, it will automatically add itself in the Context menu.

To permanently shred a file, all you have to do is right-click the file you want to shred, then go to Eraser, and then click Erase.

When the Eraser window appears, go to Default file erasure method and select your method of choice. Most users select either a 3-pass or 7-pass method. However, if you are really paranoid, select the Gutmann method, which overwrites the file with random data 35 times.

To permanently shred the deleted files in your Recycle Bin, all you need to do is right-click Recycle Bin, then go to Eraser, and then click Erase.

Like in the previous step, go to Default file erasure method and select your method of choice.

You can also use Eraser to wipe your free space too. Just right-click your hard drive, go to Eraser, and then click Erase unused space.