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iOS 9 Content Blockers Mini-Reviews
- Thread starter Apple_Robert
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
* Taken from the iTunes Preview page.
Description
Stuck in a slow connection? Speed up Safari with Speedafari!
"Kinda crazy, but it works." - Federico Viticci, Macstories.net
Speedafari blocks unnecessary parts of websites from loading. By removing part of the experience (ads, tracking scripts, external fonts, videos, etc.), you gain speed, battery, and data.
Speedafari is always just a swipe away, in the notification center. Just tap once, and — boom — Safari speeds up. No need to switch browser.
Choose between three different aggressiveness levels — low, medium or high. The higher the aggressiveness, the more will be blocked, and the faster the page will load. Note that some website functions may not work at all with the medium and high levels.
You're out in the woods? Now don't worry about slow internet anymore!
"Speedafari is a blocker that strips away everything it can so you can still load pages even when your connection is crap." - Thorin Klosowski, Lifehacker.com
Due to Apple's limitations, Speedafari will only work on devices with 64-bit processors. This includes iPhone 5s and up, all iPad Airs, and iPad mini 2 and up.
Oh, and don't worry about privacy! Speedafari has no access at all as to what web pages you visit.
Brought to you thanks to the power of iOS 9.
...More
Olof Ahreus Lunnemark Web SiteSpeedafari – Speed Up Safari on Slow 3G, Edge, and Wifi Networks Support
Screenshots
iPhone iPad
Speedafari was released on October 4, and is a paid minimalist ($1.99) content blocker with a few features.
Speedafari app design - B -
The app design of Speedafari is simple and straight-forward. Opening the main app page reveals 4 user enabled boxes; "How it works," (in green) "How to set up the content blocker," (in blue) "How to set up the today widget," (in blue) and "FAQ & Help" (in red).
1. "How it works" shows the same pictures and texts as shown in the iTunes Preview page.
2. "How to set up the content blocker" explains in simple to understand text (picture included) how to enable the content blocker in Safari.
3. "How to set up the today widget" explains how to enable the widget function of the app in simple to understand text and corresponding picture.
4." FAQ & Help" provides access to 5 frequently asked app questions, a kind reminder to rate Speedafari (via the "I love Speedafari option) and the "Email us" option, which allows you to contact the developer within the app.
I found the colors of the aforementioned boxes distracting. And the design of said boxes against the white background gives the app an unpolished look, in my opinion. Even though one is not going to use the main page of the app outside of reporting a problem website or commenting on the app, I think the developer should consider a design makeover for the app.
In regards to rating the app, I like that the developer doesn't have some obnoxious popup that asks you to rate the app every day it is opened. I like the "I love Speedafari" option under Help. It is nothing more than a simple textual reminder to rate the app if you find it suits your needs. What I don't like is that you cannot initiate said process within the app. If you want to rate the app, you have to exit the app and go through the process manually. For a paid app, I think rating ability should be enabled within the app.
In regards to adjusting the blocking power of the app, I like that you can do that via the today widget. Granted, the app only allows you to change the blocking power setting, (from low to high via the widget) instead of allowing you to enable (or not) settings for pictures, text, media, like some of the other apps offer. In spite of that, the widget works well and offers you quick access to the power setting.
Speedafari blocking power - C+
* Test conducted using the Speedafari's "low" default blocking power setting ( via the today widget).
* Social widgets and comments were not blocked.
* Sponsored ads on Yahoo were not blocked (using iPhone 6).
* Your experience may differ from mine, in regards to ad-blocking ability and speed.
Speedafari's blocking power was tested using the following websites Time Magazine, CNN, Yahoo,*** MacRumors, Amazon,*** Fox News,**** Huffington Post, iMore,***** The Verge, National Geographic,***** Crackle, Forbes Magazine, The Wall Street Journal,**** Kat.cr, The Pirate...****** MacWorld, MSNBC, Apple, Ebaums World, ImDB, YouTube,*** Hotels.com, Digiday, Reddit, Craigslist (local), Cult of Mac, blog.buttermouth, ESPN, Welt.de, Ciudad.com.ar,***** ABC.com.py, Times of Israel,*** 9to5toys, Straits Times, Str.sg, info.singtel.com, Times of India, Indian Express, Cnet,**** Boston.com, MLB.com**** and Courier.co.uk.
Unless otherwise noted by the * symbol, all sites loaded correctly without any pop ups or blank advertising boxes.
* Site did not load
** Site loaded correctly but clicking links on main page or subsequent page didn't work.
*** Site loaded correctly but did not block all ad(s) on main page or subsequent site pages.
**** Site did not correctly load all non ad page elements (e.g. pictures, video, text etc.)
***** Site loaded correctly with no ads or pop ups. Empty advertisement blocks were noted.
****** Site loaded correctly but did not stop pop up messages or redirects
Speedafari speed - C
Speedafari (with default setting) was noticeably slower compared to several of the other content blockers.
* Your experience may vary from mine.
* I do not place as much emphasis (performance or grading wise) on speed as a lot of other people.
Speedafari price and developer contact - A
The price is in line with many of the other content blockers. A rating of A was given for that reason.
I did contact the developer (seeking a redemption code) prior to review. He was quick to respond and very cordial. I have no information on customer service rating addressing app problems and concerns.
Speedafari overall rating - C+
Using the default settings, there were problems with several of the test websites. Changing the default "low" setting to "medium" prevented several sites from loading correctly, thus preventing them from being useable in a meaningful manner. The "high" setting made things worse.
I like the ability that Speedafari offers, in regards to being able to control how much is stripped away from websites (via the today widget). Unfortunately, changing the setting to get rid of ads on some sites prevented other sites from loading and working correctly. The developer warns that this can happen. The same can be said of several of the other apps with similar ability. The problem is finding that proverbial 'sweet spot,' where Speedafari provides the power needed, without breaking websites or having to change the power setting on a regular basis. I hope the developer will incorporate more customization ability in the app, so that a user will have an easier time finding that 'sweet spot.' If not, the ability to create custom rules should be added to the app, in my opinion.
I like that you can contact the developer directly from the app. I would like to see a more direct approach for website reporting via the Safari share sheet.
Speedafari does not have Whitelisting ability. I think a paid app should have that feature. Without it, a lot of people will look to other apps.
In regards to updating the blocklist, is that being handled with each update, or is that process streamlined, so that the customers don't have to wait for every Apple app store review to take please, before being able to use the updated list? Several apps offer a streamlined process which makes for happy customers, in my opinion.
In my opinion, a paid app should have a more refined look and design, even if a user may not need to open the app every day. Many people place a lot of value (or the lack thereof) on what an app looks like. I think some consideration should be given to a new app design and layout.
Speedafari may work just fine for some users. However, I believe that there are other stronger and more consistent apps to give consideration to at the moment. If the developer takes stock of what has been shared and addresses some of the concerns and problems, Speedafari could be a stronger contender in a highly competitive market.
* Disclosure: I contacted the developer seeking a promo code for review purposes. He was prompt and very cordial with his reply. I appreciate his kindness and generosity. Receiving the promo code did not play a role in what grades were given to the app.
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Got that result with Purify. Tested with Adblock Multi and the site loaded as it should.
Make sure to report the site to Purify.
weird just tried it with Ad Blocker Multi and it still blocked me from the site. The detection toggle is on
edit: even tried reload without content blocker and it still wont let me get on the site. oh well i hope their clicks and visit # crash
We discussed the topic before. Crystal (and Ad Blocker Multi probably too) are getting paid to not filtering some websites. Springer (who owns bild.de) is being known for "experimenting" with those methods lately.
Actually, it's a good sign that Purify and Silentium (the only two content blocker I own) both are blocked by bild.de as this is a proof that both are not loading ads in the background, which bild.de basically just checks for.
Another thing to keep in mind is that when you deactivate one blocker and activate another, sometimes you have to deactivate/activate again to make effect. Otherwise the ad blocker won't work and you'll think it is not working or in this case (bild.de), "works" in the website.
I didn't think that functionality was live yet in Crystal - sure it was said it was a few weeks away. And would not be enabled by default, IIRC.
Sorry if I've missed something, but is there any actual proof for the bolded part? I assume Crystal still blocks everything, and the "acceptable ads"-business will be in a forthcoming update, but the part about Ad Block Multi interests me a great deal at this juncture.
edit: And yes, I read the explanation from the Purify developer in the other thread, but just wondering if there is more to it than that.
It's a flattery from your side, actually. Ad Block Multi is not so influent to receive such offers. And even if I get an offer to be paid for whitelisting I will definitely refuse to go into that, because of Crystal representative example of losing loyal customer base because of that. I am interested in development of the comprehensive solution and positive user experience, not quick and dirty money.
Please point us to an article or some kind of proof that Ad Block Multi is doing the same thing as Crystal.
It really is reckless to say they that ABM is "probably too".
That's what I like to hear! Keep up the great work and thanks for all your continued efforts!
To save @BasicGreatGuy some time, I went ahead and made something like what you're looking for here.
That's really great - is there any way to make this float to the top of the forum somehow?
You could hit the report button and ask that it be made a stickie. Can't guarantee that it will, but the staff here does listen.