The iOS 9 Content Blocker thread

[blackboxxx]

Who else thinks that the mysterious buyer might be Google?
Makes perfect business sense: if you can't beat 'em, buy 'em. Tweak the code a little to allow Google ads by default and block all competition. That's why they have to keep the purchaser's identity secret.

Also, content blockers have been available for only two weeks, and there's already so much drama: first Peace, then Crystal, and now AdBlock.

 

[ardchoille50]

Who else thinks that the mysterious buyer might be Google?
Makes perfect business sense: if you can't beat 'em, buy 'em. Tweak the code a little to allow Google ads by default and block all competition. That's why they have to keep the purchaser's identity secret.

Also, content blockers have been available for only two weeks, and there's already so much drama: first Peace, then Crystal, and now AdBlock.

This is why I have installed five content blockers but only using two, I can swap something out if things don't go right.

 

[gaanee]

Adblock on desktop has been around for many years. Now why all of a sudden when Apple introduced content blocker on iphone, adblocking become a big news? ad companies are scrambling and making back door deals.

 

[rijc99]

Adblock on desktop has been around for many years. Now why all of a sudden when Apple introduced content blocker on iphone, adblocking become a big news? ad companies are scrambling and making back door deals.

Funny you mention adblock on desktop... I just got a notification from adblock on chrome that they now permit "non intrusive" advertising to show up and if I don't want them then I need to opt out.

 

[pcfacts]

I was just browsing the App Store and noticed a few new adblockers which offer toggle controls to turn off images, fonts, CSS & scripts on websites. One of them even has the ability to select an element on the page and create new rule for blocking.

I haven't tried any of them so I can't tell if they are any good. See for yourself.

Adblocker for Safari! (free)
*Current version is 1.1, which offers the ability to create new rule directly from a website by choosing an element.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/adblocker-for-safari!/id1028483706?mt=8

Freedom Pro (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/freedom-pro-free-ad-blocker/id1043421524?mt=8

iBlockify (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iblockify-block-ads-social/id1042090215?mt=8

Lionz Blocker (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lionz-blocker-ad-blocker-for/id1041733764?mt=8

 

[Apple_Robert]

I was just browsing the App Store and noticed a few new adblockers which offer toggle controls to turn off images, fonts, CSS & scripts on websites. One of them even has the ability to select an element on the page and create new rule for blocking.

I haven't tried any of them so I can't tell if they are any good. See for yourself.

Adblocker for Safari! (free)
*Current version is 1.1, which offers the ability to create new rule directly from a website by choosing an element.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/adblocker-for-safari!/id1028483706?mt=8

Freedom Pro (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/freedom-pro-free-ad-blocker/id1043421524?mt=8

iBlockify (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iblockify-block-ads-social/id1042090215?mt=8

Lionz Blocker (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lionz-blocker-ad-blocker-for/id1041733764?mt=8

Amazing that I was just suggesting being able to create a rule by touching an ad yesterday, and now AdBlocker for Safari! is released yesterday with the same feature. I wonder if he saw my posts, or saw scjr mention it on Twitter. I will definitely be reviewing this app next.

 

[miknos]

I was just browsing the App Store and noticed a few new adblockers which offer toggle controls to turn off images, fonts, CSS & scripts on websites. One of them even has the ability to select an element on the page and create new rule for blocking.

I haven't tried any of them so I can't tell if they are any good. See for yourself.

Adblocker for Safari! (free)
*Current version is 1.1, which offers the ability to create new rule directly from a website by choosing an element.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/adblocker-for-safari!/id1028483706?mt=8

Freedom Pro (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/freedom-pro-free-ad-blocker/id1043421524?mt=8

iBlockify (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iblockify-block-ads-social/id1042090215?mt=8

Lionz Blocker (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lionz-blocker-ad-blocker-for/id1041733764?mt=8

Thanks for sharing. I'll check them out.

As for ad blocking companies being bought, it is going to happen often. Thanks to iOS, business is booming and everyone is trying to be in that bandwagon. Still early but we have many nice options.

EDIT:

Just tested all of them.

-Freedom Pro and iBlockify are a waste.
-Lionz is quite good. Lionz is damn fast it's impressive. Unfortunately it doesn't block social/comments and broke functionality in video.wired.com.
-AdBlocker for Safari! is great. Blocked every website I visited without breaking functionality. What I didn't like is the so-many options. So many you'll get lost. A review would be impossible due to so many configurations.

 

[hank moody]

I was just browsing the App Store and noticed a few new adblockers which offer toggle controls to turn off images, fonts, CSS & scripts on websites. One of them even has the ability to select an element on the page and create new rule for blocking.

I haven't tried any of them so I can't tell if they are any good. See for yourself.

Adblocker for Safari! (free)
*Current version is 1.1, which offers the ability to create new rule directly from a website by choosing an element.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/adblocker-for-safari!/id1028483706?mt=8

Freedom Pro (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/freedom-pro-free-ad-blocker/id1043421524?mt=8

iBlockify (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iblockify-block-ads-social/id1042090215?mt=8

Lionz Blocker (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lionz-blocker-ad-blocker-for/id1041733764?mt=8

wow, looks like this market doesn't stop! and all free!!! nice

i will try them all

 

[hank moody]

so, just a few tests and i can tell you fredompro and ilblockify are REALLY bad.

i will test lions and adblocker for safari! in the next hour.

 

[GDF]

I am using Purify, which is giving blank pages, where I have to reload the page and then the page appears. Anyone else having that issue? For a test, try going to Cleveland.com, that page will come up, but the click on an article and then a blank page appear. Reload and then the content shows up.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I am using Purify, which is giving blank pages, where I have to reload the page and then the page appears. Anyone else having that issue? For a test, try going to Cleveland.com, that page will come up, but the click on an article and then a blank page appear. Reload and then the content shows up.

I got the same. Report it thru the app.

 

[tosbsas]

No trouble with adblock multi beta

 

[hank moody]

I am using Purify, which is giving blank pages, where I have to reload the page and then the page appears. Anyone else having that issue? For a test, try going to Cleveland.com, that page will come up, but the click on an article and then a blank page appear. Reload and then the content shows up.

No problem with Adblock Fast. It is free, test it.

 

[ardchoille50]

I am using Purify, which is giving blank pages, where I have to reload the page and then the page appears. Anyone else having that issue? For a test, try going to Cleveland.com, that page will come up, but the click on an article and then a blank page appear. Reload and then the content shows up.

Tap the Reader View icon (to the left in the url bar) and content is restored in Reader View.

I quite like Reader View, I wish there was an option to have it on by default.

 

[tosbsas]

No trouble with adblock multi beta

 

[Apple_Robert]

A follow up review for Purify ver. 1.1 has been posted.

 

[Rigby]

adblocker sold to mysterious buyer - adds acceptable ads


http://thenextweb.com/apps/2015/10/02/trust-us-we-block-ads/

The founder of Adblock has left the company. So far Eyeo claimed that they had around 40 million Adblock Plus users. Adblock is said to have another 50 million. They are building an advertising network in the disguise of a blocker ...

Switch to uBlock Origin, people. It's better than Adblock and Adblock Plus anyway (faster and more lightweight).

 

[Apple_Robert]

The founder of Adblock has left the company. So far Eyeo claimed that they had around 40 million Adblock Plus users. Adblock is said to have another 50 million. They are building an advertising network in the disguise of a blocker ...

Switch to uBlock Origin, people. It's better than Adblock and Adblock Plus anyway (faster and more lightweight).

Origin doesn't work with Safari, as far as I am aware. At the moment, I have the Adamant extension loaded in El Capitan Safari.

 

[scjr]

A follow up review for Purify ver. 1.1 has been posted.

Excellent follow up.

I really like that you don't have to go into the app to activate a new whitelist entry. You simply reload the page, for the new rule to take effect and you receive a confirmation of same just below the address bar in Safari.

If he splits the social functions and adds a more configurable whitelisting feature, this would make this app super appealing. It's thus far quickest loading of all the blockers, for me.

 

[jack 011]

Purify is My choice atm as well ,

 

[Apple_Robert]

Excellent follow up.

I really like that you don't have to go into the app to activate a new whitelist entry. You simply reload the page, for the new rule to take effect and you receive a confirmation of same just below the address bar in Safari.

If he splits the social functions and adds a more configurable whitelisting feature, this would make this app super appealing. It's thus far quickest loading of all the blockers, for me.

I too like the notification that comes across the Safari screen, when Purify has made a change to the whitelist.

I could be wrong here but, I get the impression, that Chris is working towards keeping the app lean, aesthetically pleasing, and as powerful as possible, without weighing it down with screens of options and toggles. If that hypothesis is correct, it could help to explain features being released at a slower rate, than other apps.

 

[scjr]

I too like the notification that comes across the Safari screen, when Purify has made a change to the whitelist.

I could be wrong here but, I get the impression, that Chris is working towards keeping the app lean, aesthetically pleasing,
and as powerful as possible, without weighing it down with screens of options and toggles. If that hypothesis is correct, it could help to explain features being released at a slower rate, than other apps.

That makes perfect sense.

I'm glad Chris is hanging around here now!

 

[Rigby]

Origin doesn't work with Safari, as far as I am aware. At the moment, I have the Adamant extension loaded in El Capitan Safari.

True (personally I'm using Firefox on all platforms including Mac OS). But with El Capitan, there will soon be plenty of good alternatives using Safari's content blocker API as well.

 

[Rigby]

Excellent follow up.

I really like that you don't have to go into the app to activate a new whitelist entry. You simply reload the page, for the new rule to take effect and you receive a confirmation of same just below the address bar in Safari.

Heh, Blockr had this from the start. Here's the screen you get when you open the share sheet from within Safari (you can even whitelist per object type):

 

[Apple_Robert]

That makes perfect sense.

I'm glad Chris is hanging around here now!

He gets a lot of exposure here, not to mention it is easier to respond and keep track of replies etc.

He acquired a sale because he was spending time here answering questions. That is the kind of access that people are looking for. A lot of people (including me) don't mind spending a little extra, if we know we have access to good customer service; hence the purchasing of many Apple products.