From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android


Article at
https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know

Some of the tips are better than others.

(My only connection with Lifehacker is that I visit the site almost
every day.)
--
"The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by
those who don't have it." --George Bernard Shaw
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 12/19/25 9:15 AM, Stan Brown wrote:

Article at
https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know

Some of the tips are better than others.

(My only connection with Lifehacker is that I visit the site almost
every day.)

When opening this site in a Chrome browser (on this Chrome tablet I'm
posting with) the ads and notification popup request were annoying. However
when I used the disable Javascript extension OR the Reader View extension
things were much better. And for those of you who dislike Chrome stuff the
same extensions in my Firefox app work just as well...

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:

Stan Brown wrote:

Article at
https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know

Some of the tips are better than others.

And some only apply at, or after, some minimum version of Android.
Several of the tricks are not available in my ancient Android 8 phone.

When opening this site in a Chrome browser (on this Chrome tablet I'm
posting with) the ads and notification popup request were annoying.
However when I used the disable Javascript extension OR the Reader
View extension things were much better. And for those of you who
dislike Chrome stuff the same extensions in my Firefox app work just
as well...

I use Edge (the Chromium version). While it uses the Blink rendering
engine and V8 script intrepreter from the Chromium project, it has some additional features missing Chrome, plus some settings to make it more
private. In Edge-C, I can use extensions for either MS or Chrome. The
MS store lists those extensions that have been curated for use with
Edge. If not listed there, I go to the Chrome extensions store.

Because Google forced Chromium variants to Manifest v3 that fucked up
(reduced) the strength of adblockers, I use the Adguard Adblocker. I
think it comes pre-installed in Edge-C. It isn't as robust as uBlock
Origin in Firefox, like the element hider feature is missing, but it
does pretty well to eliminate the crap content. Unlike uBlock Origin
Lite, the MV3 version of uBO (needed in Chromium variants), Adguard
Adblocker lets me define user filter using the Adblock Plus syntax
(which I'm still clumsy with, so it takes a while to get a working,
effective, and focused filter for what I'm trying to block in addition
to the subscribed blocklists. There is also a log view: enable logging, [refresh or] load a web doc, and look at the logs to determine why
something may not be working at a web site.

With Edge-C and Adguard Adblocker (maxed out on all its settings), I
don't see the ads that impinge your experience at that web site. You
should be able to use the Adguard Adblocker extension in Chrome, too.

For Edge-C, it's listed at:

https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/adguard-adblocker/pdffkfellgipmhklpdmokmckkkfcopbh

For Chrome, it's listed at:

https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/adguard-adblocker/bgnkhhnnamicmpeenaelnjfhikgbkllg
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 12/19/25 3:53 PM, VanguardLH wrote:

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:

Stan Brown wrote:

Article at
https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know

Some of the tips are better than others.

And some only apply at, or after, some minimum version of Android.
Several of the tricks are not available in my ancient Android 8 phone.

When opening this site in a Chrome browser (on this Chrome tablet I'm
posting with) the ads and notification popup request were annoying.
However when I used the disable Javascript extension OR the Reader
View extension things were much better. And for those of you who
dislike Chrome stuff the same extensions in my Firefox app work just
as well...

I use Edge (the Chromium version). While it uses the Blink rendering
engine and V8 script intrepreter from the Chromium project, it has some >additional features missing Chrome, plus some settings to make it more >private. In Edge-C, I can use extensions for either MS or Chrome. The
MS store lists those extensions that have been curated for use with
Edge. If not listed there, I go to the Chrome extensions store.

Because Google forced Chromium variants to Manifest v3 that fucked up >(reduced) the strength of adblockers, I use the Adguard Adblocker. I
think it comes pre-installed in Edge-C. It isn't as robust as uBlock
Origin in Firefox, like the element hider feature is missing, but it
does pretty well to eliminate the crap content. Unlike uBlock Origin
Lite, the MV3 version of uBO (needed in Chromium variants), Adguard
Adblocker lets me define user filter using the Adblock Plus syntax
(which I'm still clumsy with, so it takes a while to get a working, >effective, and focused filter for what I'm trying to block in addition
to the subscribed blocklists. There is also a log view: enable logging, >[refresh or] load a web doc, and look at the logs to determine why
something may not be working at a web site.

With Edge-C and Adguard Adblocker (maxed out on all its settings), I
don't see the ads that impinge your experience at that web site. You
should be able to use the Adguard Adblocker extension in Chrome, too.

Unfortunately the Android Chrome Browser app does NOT support extensions. So
when I'm using one of my Android tablet toys I usually use the Firefox app
instead which is fully extension stocked.

Since I prefer mostly reading the news I often use the Android Dolphin
browser app in which I PERMANENTLY turn off JavaScript and all cookies.
This gives me just the article's text and pictures 95% of the time and
makes for quick reading. If I must read an article that fails I could just
switch browsers but usually it's just not worth the hassle and don't.
YMMV...

For Edge-C, it's listed at:

https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/adguard-adblocker/pdffkfellgipmhklpdmokmckkkfcopbh

For Chrome, it's listed at:

https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/adguard-adblocker/bgnkhhnnamicmpeenaelnjfhikgbkllg

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Stan Brown, 2025-12-19 17:15:

Article at
https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know

Some of the tips are better than others.

Well... "Hacks"?

It's just using features which are provided by Android. Some features
may not be well-known, but in general it's just about knowing what is
possible.
--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

VanguardLH, 2025-12-19 23:53:

[...]

Because Google forced Chromium variants to Manifest v3 that fucked up (reduced) the strength of adblockers, I use the Adguard Adblocker. I

Vivaldi for Android still works quite well and the sync feature makes it
easy to have your bookmarks etc. on all devices.
--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Arno Welzel wrote:

Article at
https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know

Some of the tips are better than others.

Well... "Hacks"?

It's just using features which are provided by Android. Some features
may not be well-known, but in general it's just about knowing what is possible.

I'd agree mostly with Arno that these aren't 'hacks' so much as settings.

Regarding "hacks" (by whatever definition, I probably "hack" Android as
much as anyone else here on this newsgroup (e.g., I have one-tap shortcuts
to hidden settings for example and I've removed all the privacy holes that
I knew of that I could remove, etc.)...

With that in mind, I went to Stan's suggested thread:
<https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know>

1. Stop Battery-Draining Apps
2. Block Ads & Trackers Without a VPN (Private DNS)
3. Recover Dismissed Notifications
4. Fine-Tune Screen Density (DPI)
5. Change Default USB Behavior
6. Force High-Quality Bluetooth Audio
7. Speed Up (or Disable) Animations
8. Force Dark Mode Everywhere
9. Keep the Screen On While Charging
10. Stop Certain Bluetooth Devices From Answering Calls

I have one-tap shortcuts to some of them already, for example,
I have multiple shortcuts to all the notifications ever sent.

Still, it's never bad to see what else we can improve on Android.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:23:40 -0000 (UTC), AJL wrote:

On 12/19/25 9:15 AM, Stan Brown wrote:

Article at >https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know

When opening this site in a Chrome browser (on this Chrome tablet I'm
posting with) the ads and notification popup request were annoying.

I never see any of that junk because I use uBlock Origin Lite. On the
rare occasions when I look at a site on someone else's computer, I'm
stunned by all the slop many sites display.
--
"The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by
those who don't have it." --George Bernard Shaw
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 12/21/25 6:13 AM, Stan Brown wrote:

On Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:23:40 -0000 (UTC), AJL wrote:

On 12/19/25 9:15 AM, Stan Brown wrote:

Article at
https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know

When opening this site in a Chrome browser (on this Chrome tablet I'm
posting with) the ads and notification popup request were annoying.

I never see any of that junk because I use uBlock Origin Lite.

Yup. uBlock Origin in my Android Firefox app takes out those ads too.

On the rare occasions when I look at a site on someone else's computer, I'm >stunned by all the slop many sites display.

But uBlock Origin also screws up some sites, financial and investment for
example where I enter data as well as read it. And in my browsers it's not
easy to switch on and off. But JavaScript on/off and the Reader View button
accomplish the same result with your site and others so I thought I'd pass
it along for folks who hadn't tried it.

Bottom line as always: YMMV...


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 21.12.25 14:13, Stan Brown wrote:

On Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:23:40 -0000 (UTC), AJL wrote:

On 12/19/25 9:15 AM, Stan Brown wrote:

Article at
https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know

When opening this site in a Chrome browser (on this Chrome tablet I'm
posting with) the ads and notification popup request were annoying.

I never see any of that junk because I use uBlock Origin Lite. On the
rare occasions when I look at a site on someone else's computer, I'm
stunned by all the slop many sites display.

I discovered iBlock Origin Lite just recently. I use the original uBlock
Origin with my Firefox for years and the Safari-version comes very close
to the original. Some cosmetic issues remain but the thing is by far the
most efficient protection for Safari.
--
"Roma locuta, causa finita" (Augustinus)
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 21.12.25 17:43, AJL wrote:

But uBlock Origin also screws up some sites, financial and investment for
example where I enter data as well as read it.

No issues here for years. uBlock Origin is different from uBlock Origin
Lite which is a consequence of the restrictive treatment of extensions
by Apple.
--
"Roma locuta, causa finita" (Augustinus)
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 21.12.25 18:01, Jörg Lorenz wrote:

On 21.12.25 14:13, Stan Brown wrote:

On Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:23:40 -0000 (UTC), AJL wrote:

On 12/19/25 9:15 AM, Stan Brown wrote:

Article at
https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know

When opening this site in a Chrome browser (on this Chrome tablet I'm
posting with) the ads and notification popup request were annoying.

I never see any of that junk because I use uBlock Origin Lite. On the
rare occasions when I look at a site on someone else's computer, I'm
stunned by all the slop many sites display.

I discovered iBlock Origin Lite just recently. I use the original uBlock Origin with my Firefox for years and the Safari-version comes very close
to the original. Some cosmetic issues remain but the thing is by far the
most efficient protection for Safari.

Of course uBlock and not iBlock.
This blocker is the reason why Safari is for the first time my primary
browser on my Macs and not Firefox any more. At least for the time
being. On my Linux machines Firefox remains still #1.
--
"Roma locuta, causa finita" (Augustinus)
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 12/21/25 10:04 AM, Jörg Lorenz wrote:

On 21.12.25 17:43, AJL wrote:

But uBlock Origin also screws up some sites, financial and investment for
example where I enter data as well as read it.

No issues here for years.

YMMV.

uBlock Origin is different from uBlock Origin
Lite which is a consequence of the restrictive treatment of extensions
by Apple.

The Chrome Web Store offers 3 extensions for the browser on this Chrome OS
Tablet. Ublock Origin, Ublock Origin Lite, and Ublock Origin Scope. I'm
kinda surprised since they're designed to get rid of ads, including Google
ads... 8-O


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On Sun, 21 Dec 2025 05:13:06 -0800, Stan Brown wrote:

I never see any of that junk because I use uBlock Origin Lite. On the
rare occasions when I look at a site on someone else's computer, I'm
stunned by all the slop many sites display.

Isn't that just a crippled version of uBlock Origin? I have that
installed on Firefox.
--
s|b
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:

On 12/21/25 10:04 AM, Jörg Lorenz wrote:

On 21.12.25 17:43, AJL wrote:

But uBlock Origin also screws up some sites, financial and investment for >> example where I enter data as well as read it.

No issues here for years.

YMMV.

uBlock Origin is different from uBlock Origin
Lite which is a consequence of the restrictive treatment of extensions
by Apple.

The Chrome Web Store offers 3 extensions for the browser on this Chrome OS
Tablet. Ublock Origin, Ublock Origin Lite, and Ublock Origin Scope. I'm
kinda surprised since they're designed to get rid of ads, including Google
ads... 8-O

Well, that's hardly as hilarious as the very lifehacker.com article
which is mentioned in the OP and which is *splattered* with ads (if you
don't use an ad-blocker), but still has a section called:

"Block ads and trackers without VPN"

Not that that is anything out of the ordinary, because it happens all
the time, but it makes one wonder if they know the meaning of
"hypocrisy".
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 12/19/25 10:23 AM, AJL wrote:

On 12/19/25 9:15 AM, Stan Brown wrote:

Article at >>https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know

Some of the tips are better than others.

(My only connection with Lifehacker is that I visit the site almost
every day.)

When opening this site in a Chrome browser (on this Chrome tablet I'm
posting with) the ads and notification popup request were annoying. However when I used the disable Javascript extension OR the Reader View extension things were much better. And for those of you who dislike Chrome stuff the same extensions in my Firefox app work just as well...

For those interested in this sub-thread I probably should mention that I
also use the Android app Reading Mode by Google LLC (available in the Play
Store). It has the advantage of also working in Android apps, not just
browsers. It leaves a start button on the screen at all times which some
might see as a disadvantage but I find it easy to ignore until needed.
YMMV...

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

AJL, 2025-12-19 18:23:

On 12/19/25 9:15 AM, Stan Brown wrote:

Article at
https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know

Some of the tips are better than others.

(My only connection with Lifehacker is that I visit the site almost
every day.)

When opening this site in a Chrome browser (on this Chrome tablet I'm
posting with) the ads and notification popup request were annoying. However

Well - install uBlock Origin: <https://ublockorigin.com>
--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 12/23/25 3:49 AM, Arno Welzel wrote:

AJL, 2025-12-19 18:23:

On 12/19/25 9:15 AM, Stan Brown wrote:

Article at
https://lifehacker.com/tech/hacks-every-android-user-should-know

Some of the tips are better than others.

(My only connection with Lifehacker is that I visit the site almost
every day.)

When opening this site in a Chrome browser (on this Chrome tablet I'm
posting with) the ads and notification popup request were annoying. However

Well - install uBlock Origin: <https://ublockorigin.com>

I do have it on one of my browsers. My only complaint was that it's not that
easy to turn off and on when it sometimes kills something I need or want.
So I posted some of the stuff I use instead that works just as well for me
and has the on\off switch when I want to see the whole site. It was just
for info. Feel free to ignore it. As always YMMV...


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2