Expect a lot of new features coming in iOS 9, set to be released next month, that are going to improve the user experience for iPhone and iPad users. Users can expect a brand new News app, which will allow them to get all their news in one place. There is also the totally revamped Notes app, a new Maps app with public transport directions, improved keyboards, and split view windows on the iPad.
However, there is also a ton of little enhancements built into iOS 9 that Apple has not spoken a lot about publicly. One such enhancement is Content Blocking in the next version of Safari.
This is how Apple officially describes content blocking in iOS 9: "The new Safari release brings Content Blocking Safari Extensions to iOS. Content Blocking gives your extensions a fast and efficient way to block cookies, images, resources, pop-ups, and other content."
In other words, content blocking on iOS is essentially like the ad blocking extensions many people used on their browsers on the desktop. But content blocking on iOS will not only give users the ability to block ads, but cookies, images and other trackers that help identify users to advertisers.
Content blocking in iOS 9 works a little differently than the standard ad blockers do on the desktop. On the desktop an ad blocker usually comes in the form of an extension and users configure its settings in the extension preferences in the browser or via the ad blocker’s website. With iOS 9’s content blocking things are done differently.
Here is how Apple explains it to developers: "Your app extension is responsible for supplying a JSON file to Safari. The JSON consists of an array of rules (triggers and actions) for blocking specific content. Safari converts the JSON to bytecode, which it applies efficiently to all resource loads without leaking information about the user’s browsing back to the app extension."
Content blocking in iOS 9 works on a system-wide level. Instead of creating extensions in mobile Safari, developers wanting to create content blockers will create full blown apps, whose extensions link to Safari. It is through these apps that users will manage what exactly they want to block. The apps in turn talk to the rest of the operating system–and mobile Safari–to carry out the user’s content blocking preferences.
It should be noted that these content blocker apps won’t be limited to Safari. Content blocking should work in any third-party app as long as the developer decides to support it. This means even apps like Facebook and Twitter, which use popup browser windows to display links when clicked on, can take advantage of content blocking.
As far as web browsing goes, it will be a revelation. While desktop browsers are generally fast enough – and the Wi-Fi connection in our homes has enough bandwidth – to load sites quickly no matter how many ads and annoying extras they push at us, the story is different with mobile browsers.
Due to the lower powered hardware mobile browsers run on (an iPhone is nowhere near as powerful as a MacBook) it takes more time and power to load a website on a mobile device. The more content clutter the site makes the user load (trackers, ads, popups), the longer it takes to fully open. This increased load not only leads to longer load times, it drains battery faster and eats through data allowance quicker.
However, there is also a ton of little enhancements built into iOS 9 that Apple has not spoken a lot about publicly. One such enhancement is Content Blocking in the next version of Safari.
This is how Apple officially describes content blocking in iOS 9: "The new Safari release brings Content Blocking Safari Extensions to iOS. Content Blocking gives your extensions a fast and efficient way to block cookies, images, resources, pop-ups, and other content."
In other words, content blocking on iOS is essentially like the ad blocking extensions many people used on their browsers on the desktop. But content blocking on iOS will not only give users the ability to block ads, but cookies, images and other trackers that help identify users to advertisers.
Content blocking in iOS 9 works a little differently than the standard ad blockers do on the desktop. On the desktop an ad blocker usually comes in the form of an extension and users configure its settings in the extension preferences in the browser or via the ad blocker’s website. With iOS 9’s content blocking things are done differently.
Here is how Apple explains it to developers: "Your app extension is responsible for supplying a JSON file to Safari. The JSON consists of an array of rules (triggers and actions) for blocking specific content. Safari converts the JSON to bytecode, which it applies efficiently to all resource loads without leaking information about the user’s browsing back to the app extension."
Content blocking in iOS 9 works on a system-wide level. Instead of creating extensions in mobile Safari, developers wanting to create content blockers will create full blown apps, whose extensions link to Safari. It is through these apps that users will manage what exactly they want to block. The apps in turn talk to the rest of the operating system–and mobile Safari–to carry out the user’s content blocking preferences.
It should be noted that these content blocker apps won’t be limited to Safari. Content blocking should work in any third-party app as long as the developer decides to support it. This means even apps like Facebook and Twitter, which use popup browser windows to display links when clicked on, can take advantage of content blocking.
As far as web browsing goes, it will be a revelation. While desktop browsers are generally fast enough – and the Wi-Fi connection in our homes has enough bandwidth – to load sites quickly no matter how many ads and annoying extras they push at us, the story is different with mobile browsers.
Due to the lower powered hardware mobile browsers run on (an iPhone is nowhere near as powerful as a MacBook) it takes more time and power to load a website on a mobile device. The more content clutter the site makes the user load (trackers, ads, popups), the longer it takes to fully open. This increased load not only leads to longer load times, it drains battery faster and eats through data allowance quicker.
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