The next Android 8.1 Oreo update is expected to come with a host of new updates, and one of them is an automatic storage space saving feature. First spotted by XDA Developers in a recent AOSP (Android Open Source Project) framework commit, the new feature will automatically clean up caches of inactive apps. This will only happen when the device is running low on space.
Cache is built on Android phones over time, with saved state and certain non-essential data being saved there. However, cache sizes can often go up to gigabytes, or fall in the low megabytes. While many users do clear cache regularly, Google wants to automate the task on Oreo. It's worth noting that while Google will be adding this to Android, OEMs will hold the final decision on whether to use them.
The latest developer preview of Android Oreo 8.1 has been rolled out for select smartphones like the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C, Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL. The company has planned two developer previews for Android 8.1 and has said that the current first release is a beta "with APIs". The second beta will be rolled out by November’s end.
The main highlight of the developer preview update is the Neural Networks API. It will likely allow the new Pixel 2 to take advantage of the currently inactive Pixel Visual Core SoC. The SoC is Google’s first custom imaging Octa-core chip, which enables faster image processing. It will also (theoretically) enhance Google's photo apps and will eventually allow third-party photography apps to take HDR+ quality images.