Friday, September 18, 2015

A Browser That Blocks Ads? I Sure Hope So

One the the ballyhooed features of Apple’s new IOS 9 (and the forthcoming El Capitan OS for MACS), is the ability to block ads of all kinds on Websites when using Apple’s Safari Browser. This is done by the browser in conjunction with special ad blocking software from third party vendors.

Blocking ads benefits users by speeding up Web performance and keeping ads from cluttering the screen. But advertisers naturally use ads to generate income, and many websites that are free rely on ads in order to bring in revenue. According to advertisers, If ad blocking becomes too prevalent, many websites might have to charge users to access content or perhaps even shut down.

Users feel that many ads on the Web are intrusive, annoying and infringe on privacy. Advertisements use video, animation and other in-your-face techniques to try to grab your attention. But the privacy issue is perhaps one of the strongest, with people increasingly concerned about the data collected by advertisers.their content or else shut down.

Today, I tried one of those new add blocking apps named “Crystal” on my iPad. It has received good early ratings from reviewers and it was easy to set up and install. It seemed to do a good job but it could not stop video ads attached to other videos like those found on ESPN. But I don’t know how that would even be possible.

One day of use is not a fair trial so I won’t make a judgment on it one way or the other. I also intend to try other blockers to see if one is better than another and since Safari on MAC’s will shortly have the same capability, I think that might be a fairer trial since I use the desktop more than portable devices. Will ad blocking change the nature of the Web in the near future. Only time will tell.

Time now for you to scan and possibly read today’s stories and I hope you find something useful her. Until next week, I wish you well and hope you enjoy your weekend. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Apple will ask the Supreme Court to hear its ebooks antitrust case

Apple appears ready to appeal its long-running ebooks antitrust case to the Supreme Court. In a filing from Wednesday, the company asked for a 30-day extension before filing its petition for a writ of certiorari, a request that the court hear the case.

 

Microsoft Windows 10 hardware event scheduled for 06 Oct 2015

It is expected that Microsoft will announce the new Surface Pro 4, new flagship Lumia handsets for Windows 10 Mobile and version 2 of the Microsoft Band.

 

Amazon launches a 4K Fire TV and a $50 Fire tablet

The all-new Fire TV is of particular interest: It’s one of the few media streamers capable of delivering 4K resolution, and it costs just $100. Amazon’s least-expensive tablet will also turn heads: A 7-inch model with an IPS display that will be priced at just $50.

 

Adblockers shoot up iOS 9 app charts on day one

Less than a day after the launch of iOS 9, Apple’s latest operating system, content blocking software is at the top of the app charts worldwide

 

Apple Joins Microsoft in Resisting Governmental Access to Customer Data

Like Microsoft, Apple is stridently resisting giving governments and law enforcement access to customer data through its technology products and offerings, such as phone encryption built-in.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

 

When your computer reboots itself over and over again

Something is rotten in the state of your Windows PC. Here's how to deal with a computer that keeps rebooting.

 

How to Configure Folder Options in Windows 10

Folder options may not have received the sexiest facelift out of everything we’ve seen in 10, but there are still enough new tweaks to talk about that a new user to the OS may not immediately recognize right off the bat.

 

Learn to use the Windows 10 Recovery Drive

Sooner or later, nearly every Windows user powers up the machine — and Windows simply refuses to start. Every current version of Windows lets you create and run a self-booting rescue disc, but Win10 takes that tool to a new level.

 

Master Windows processes for better performance

What you need to know about svchost.exe, Windows memory management, and the Task Manager.

 

33 Gmail Tips That Will Help You Conquer Email

As a Web app, Gmail is a work in progress, with Google occasionally adding new functions. The amount of under-the-hood power in Gmail is pretty staggering. That's what we're here to delve into: all the tools that lay below the surface of the Gmail inbox.

 

Mobile Computing

How to set up content blocking Safari extensions in iOS 9

iOS 9 brings Safari filters that can block ads, trackers, video, popups, and more. Here's how to choose a content blocker and set it up.

 

Hands On With Three iOS 9 Content Blockers: 1Blocker, Blockr And Crystal

The Apple App Store distributes applications that allow iPhone and iPad owners to install apps offering extensions for Apple’s Safari web browser that will prevent the browser from loading not just online ads and pop-ups, but also other content that slows down browsing and consumes resources.

 

One simple trick to speed up your old iPhone or iPad

Have you owned your iPhone or iPad for a couple of years? Is it starting to feel a little sluggish? Here's a tried and tested way to speed up an iPhone or iPad that's simple to do and only going to cost you some time.

 

The 11 Best Photo & Video Editing Apps for Mobile (And Why They're So Great)

There are a lot of great photo and video editing apps out there for mobile devices, and some of them even cost a few bucks. Which are the best free and paid apps out there? Check out our shortlist

Five tips and tricks for finding, sharing, and organizing your Google Drive on Android

Much of what you can go with Drive on your computer, you can also do on Android. Here's a guide to where all the new and important tools are.

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