European users now have a longer cooling-off period to claim Google Play refunds


Google has introduced new policies for its customers living in the European Economic Area. The updated policies allow users longer to apply for a refund on purchases made through the Google Play Store
While most of the world has a 48-hour timeframe to ask for a refund, this has been extended to a full two weeks in the EEA. The policy changes have come into play to comply with EU law which gives customers a 14-day "cooling-off" period during which they are entitled to ask for their money back -- but it doesn't cover everything.
Security issues in gay dating app Grindr exposed users' locations


Two security issues have been discovered in Grindr, the gay dating app, which could reveal the location of users even if they opted to keep this information private. There are concerns that the privacy compromise could lead to harassment of Grindr users.
Trevor Faden created a site called C*ckBlocked (that's the actual name, we're not being prudish and getting out our censorship pens) which was designed to give Grindr users the chance to see who had blocked them. By exploiting a security loophole similar to the one exposed in the recent Facebook/Cambridge Analytica scandal, Faden's site was able to access a wealth of private data including deleted photos and user locations.
How to change countries in the Google Play Store -- the official way!


There can be few Android users who have learned about an exciting new app or game, only to be disappointed to discover it's not available in their country. There have been various ways around this, including downloading APKs from unofficial sources, but now Google has introduced a way to do it officially.
An update to the Google Play Store sees the addition of a new "Country and profiles" option which makes getting Android apps from other regions a whole lot easier. Here's what you need to know.
2 million Spotify users are blocking ads... for free


Spotify has revealed that around 2 million of its users have been using hacked versions of apps to bypass ads without paying for the privilege.
It means that more than 2 percent of the service's free users are useful modified versions of apps. The hacked apps also allow for access to premium Spotify features, and this explains the company's eagerness to crack down on the practice.
Google launches 'Change the Game' design challenge to encourage female coders and gamers


Google has teamed up with Girls Make Games and ESA Foundation to launch a new initiative called Change the Game. It is designed to encourage more women to get involved in playing and creating mobile games, and there's a $10,000 college scholarship and a $15,000 technology donation up for grabs.
The company is seeking game ideas from US teenagers who are invited to share details of their designs. Google asks for details of game mechanics, storylines and asks "what emotions could the player experience or feel while playing the game?"
Malicious mobile apps decrease in final quarter of 2017


A new report from digital threat management company RiskIQ states malicious mobile apps declined at the end of 2017.
To reach these findings the firm analyzed 120 mobile app stores and it puts the decline down largely to a decrease in the inventory of AndroidAPKDescargar, the most prolific dealer of blacklisted apps.
Take a personal trainer on the road using Freeletics


Everyone has a favorite go-to workout routine to keep fit. Do you prefer to spin, participate in CrossFit, head to the gym and figure your own routine or, perhaps, an all-body circuit class? There is no shortage of options, but sometimes too many options can get confusing and it’s good to get some guidance based on your goals.
One solution is your own personal trainer, in the form of your smartphone. Luckily you can take your smartphone anywhere (often including the gym), meaning there’s no reason why you can’t have a program downloaded to an app.
Data-saving Facebook Lite is now available in the US


Originally designed for countries with slower mobile internet connections, Facebook's cut-down and data-light Facebook Lite app is making its way to the US.
The app has been around since 2015, but it was only available in a limited number of countries, with the focus being primarily on developing nations where connectivity was an issue. But now Facebook is spreading the love to the United States, the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
The shady world of mobile app tracking


Most of us click on the Agree button when we install apps without actually reading the privacy agreement.
But some new research from Princeton University and other bodies reveals that many apps use a network of third-party services -- often invisible to the user -- that provide analytics, social network integration, and monetization.
Now you have longer to delete your WhatsApp messages


Just as with any popular platform, WhatsApp has fans who are quite happy to use it while conceding that there are things that need to be improved. Having -- eventually -- made it possible to delete messages after sending them, WhatsApp is now extending the timeframe in which deletions can be made.
The Delete For Everyone option is now available to users for 1 hour, 8 minutes and 16 seconds after a message has been sent.
GIPHY removed from Snapchat and Instagram after racist GIF appears


Snapchat and Instagram have both temporarily removed GIPHY integration from their products following the appearance of a racist GIF. A statement put out by Snapchat says: "We have removed GIPHY from our application until we can be assured that this will never happen again."
Instagram made a similar move, and it's not clear when GIPHY will rectify the issue. (Warning: a tweet containing the GIF in question is featured in the article below).
Facebook adds video chats to Messenger Lite


After initially launching in countries with slower internet connections, Facebook Messenger Lite ultimately spread to other parts of the world. The cut-down version of the app gave access to a subset of its big brother's features, and now Facebook has added support for video chat.
The app has proved popular even in countries with easy access to decent internet and mobile connections, as users eschew super-sized apps in favor of more diminutive versions. The addition of this important and popular feature is only going to increase its appeal.
Struggling to nod off? Try using these three apps to sleep more soundly


Sleep. We all need it, yet many of us do not get enough. While it is common knowledge that we need 7-8 hours per night, the average American will sleep for around 5-6 hours, falling well short.
How can we increase the amount of time we sleep, yet also increase our sleep quality so we don’t hear that dreaded alarm and snooze and then wake up feeling like we’ve barely slept at all? We’ve found three apps which will help you nod off, stay asleep and wake up feeling more refreshed.
The official Mobile Passport app will glide you through immigration


As a US citizen, you’d think returning to your own country should enable quick and easy access through immigration? Sadly, not.
We’ve been in this situation ourselves, such as flying into Miami, where if you land behind a few incoming flights, the queue for the Global Entry kiosks can be hours long. Often you’re put in one big queue with everyone else including international travelers with an ESTA visa, all wanting to use the same devices.
Samsung launches data-saving and privacy-protecting Samsung Max app for Android


Samsung has revealed a new, free Android app -- Samsung Max, which it says is "designed to promote mobile data savings and application privacy management". The app replaces Opera Max and anyone with this app currently installed should find that it automatically updates to Samsung Max.
While Opera Max included a fully-fledged VPN tool, Samsung Max downgrades this to a DNS-masking service. There are, however, other security and privacy options, as well as tools for reducing data usage.
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