Develop Bugs

Browser questions

Hello everyone,
This is my first android device and I have a couple of questions regarding the browser:
1) Is there a way to add a plug-in to the browser to behave like iOS's Safari "Reader" functionality? Something that will basically display the text of an article without all the fluff (like ads and whatnot)?
2) The fonts used for the different sites I frequent seem to be a bit off. Are there fonts missing from the stock android that I need to add?
3) Zooming-in to a piece of the text by double-tapping seems to be a bit off, for me its zooming in a bit more that it should leaving the last few words of each line of text outside of the view. Am I doing something wrong here?
Thanks a lot!

LordGrahf said:
Hello everyone,
This is my first android device and I have a couple of questions regarding the browser:
1) Is there a way to add a plug-in to the browser to behave like iOS's Safari "Reader" functionality? Something that will basically display the text of an article without all the fluff (like ads and whatnot)?
2) The fonts used for the different sites I frequent seem to be a bit off. Are there fonts missing from the stock android that I need to add?
3) Zooming-in to a piece of the text by double-tapping seems to be a bit off, for me its zooming in a bit more that it should leaving the last few words of each line of text outside of the view. Am I doing something wrong here?
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what the...
1) "Reader" functionality? some kind of jailbreak hack? Anyways, I believe you can disable images in the settings of browser (theres a ton of settings there so go check them out). As for ads, there are some apps out there that do that.. but as a dev, I'm pretty against it so maybe someone else will point one out
2) Thats even more weird.. the Galaxy Nexus does use the new roboto font and it does use this to render websites. But you're saying some websites appear off? Got any examples?
3) huh? double-tapping works very well for me. Again, some example sites? You're double tapping on a segment of text right?

For #3 you probably need to turn on word wrap/reflow or whatever it is called. Occassionally doesnt work and you need to refresh on dolphin browser.
Sent from my samsung gt i9250 which is in the wrong state.

The answer is yes
For issue #1, there is! You don't need an account, but I would highly recommend signing up for one at readability dot com
Go the Android Market and search for Readability. Download the Readability Bookmark app and create the bookmarklet. This will create a bookmark with no icon called Readability. Then just go to any page with boat loads of text and images and ads and garbage and click the tabs button to show the bookmarks button, click it and then click the Readability bookmarklet.
It's a terrible workflow but it does work. I've been using it the past couple of days and it's very comparable to the Reader button in Mobile Safari.
For issue #2, I don't know of anything like that.
For issue #3, I have the same problem. Double tap on a column of text and the column fills the screen with just a few words off of the edge. I've played around with the browser settings and I can't get it to work. Pretty much any site with text, to answer kwazi's question.

Thanks for the respone!
kwazi said:
1) "Reader" functionality? some kind of jailbreak hack? Anyways, I believe you can disable images in the settings of browser (theres a ton of settings there so go check them out). As for ads, there are some apps out there that do that.. but as a dev, I'm pretty against it so maybe someone else will point one out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It just formats the page to make it all text with no images or ads or anything else that doesn't belong to the article you're reading. Its like the Readability plug-in for desktop google Chrome and Firefox.
kwazi said:
2) Thats even more weird.. the Galaxy Nexus does use the new roboto font and it does use this to render websites. But you're saying some websites appear off? Got any examples?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed this while reading on a boxing site I frequent: www.eastsideboxing.com
I also noticed the same with websites written in a foreign language.
kwazi said:
3) huh? double-tapping works very well for me. Again, some example sites? You're double tapping on a segment of text right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed this also on www.eastsideboxing.com
Thanks!

freicook said:
For issue #1, there is! You don't need an account, but I would highly recommend signing up for one at readability dot com
Go the Android Market and search for Readability. Download the Readability Bookmark app and create the bookmarklet. This will create a bookmark with no icon called Readability. Then just go to any page with boat loads of text and images and ads and garbage and click the tabs button to show the bookmarks button, click it and then click the Readability bookmarklet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh thanks a lot! That's what I was looking for. Yeah its bit of a workout, but better than nothing

pukemon said:
For #3 you probably need to turn on word wrap/reflow or whatever it is called. Occassionally doesnt work and you need to refresh on dolphin browser.
Sent from my samsung gt i9250 which is in the wrong state.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Do you think this can only be done under Dolphin browser and not the stock one? I've just checked the settings of the stock browser and didn't find that option.

I have a question, will Last Pass be able to plug into it something like it does with Dolphin?

After further inspection, the font looks just about right when zoomed in (for English at least). I think my eyes are not used yet to see cramped text on this display
So I guess the only thing that I still can't figure out is how to make the double tap zoom work properly.

adblock plus

anyone using this on the nexus4, i have no clue why my data says it eating like 360MB out of 500MB!:crying:
does it really work in blocking ads?

cobyman7035 said:
anyone using this on the nexus4, i have no clue why my data says it eating like 360MB out of 500MB!:crying:
does it really work in blocking ads?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have root? If yes, I would recommend using Adaway. Great app and it works.

kwerdenker said:
Do you have root? If yes, I would recommend using Adaway. Great app and it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1, but I guess the problem of the OP is that he doesn't know what is eating his data plan.
There are a lot of program that shows the data usage per app so you can know what to blame. I personally use avast! Mobile Security cause it counts and store the data used per app and has a built in per app Firewall to cut it.

cobyman7035 said:
anyone using this on the nexus4, i have no clue why my data says it eating like 360MB out of 500MB!:crying:
does it really work in blocking ads?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to the FAQ Adblock will appear to use most of your data because the data is passing through it.
It is basically just a HTTP proxy, so it should block web page ads as well as the browser versions.
Adaway uses a different method - it simply blocks the ad server dns entries so they can't be looked up. No data is passing through the adaway app. It also works for SSL which Adblock doesn't.
I don't know which way is best - I use Adaway and am happy with it. Adblock supports the well maintained browser blocklists (and works in a similar way), but requires the proxy run in the background and filter all your traffic.

isangelous said:
According to the FAQ Adblock will appear to use most of your data because the data is passing through it.
It is basically just a HTTP proxy, so it should block web page ads as well as the browser versions.
Adaway uses a different method - it simply blocks the ad server dns entries so they can't be looked up. No data is passing through the adaway app. It also works for SSL which Adblock doesn't.
I don't know which way is best - I use Adaway and am happy with it. Adblock supports the well maintained browser blocklists (and works in a similar way), but requires the proxy run in the background and filter all your traffic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have root, Adaway is the better way to block ads. Since it's doing it at a system level, you don't need anything additional like the proxy running in the background (proxies are a bit of a privacy concern in my opinion, even if it's running locally on your phone). Also you can add any host source you like in Adaway, so it supports most if not any blocklist Adblock supports
The main point abaout Adblock is, that you can use it on non-rooted phones.

kwerdenker said:
If you have root, Adaway is the better way to block ads. Since it's doing it at a system level, you don't need anything additional like the proxy running in the background (proxies are a bit of a privacy concern in my opinion, even if it's running locally on your phone). Also you can add any host source you like in Adaway, so it supports most if not any blocklist Adblock supports
The main point abaout Adblock is, that you can use it on non-rooted phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They use different blocklists - adaway is simply a list of domains but adblock rules are more powerful. They can be a domain or just part of a url, they can apply only to certain websites, they can apply to html tags, etc. I use these features quite a bit on the desktop version.
I think Adaway is a better way of blocking ads in apps and is good enough for browser ad blocking for now. I think Adblock is better for the browser and wish Chrome supported extensions because I do agree with you that running the proxy is not the best way to do this. Once it has proven stable and has a few more features it might be worth it. At the very least you need to be able to limit it to Chrome - I don't want to depend on that background service for all data.
So for now Adaway is the better all-rounder. It is a shame both are system wide so you can't use both where they are better suited.

isangelous said:
They use different blocklists - adaway is simply a list of domains but adblock rules are more powerful. They can be a domain or just part of a url, they can apply only to certain websites, they can apply to html tags, etc. I use these features quite a bit on the desktop version.
I think Adaway is a better way of blocking ads in apps and is good enough for browser ad blocking for now. I think Adblock is better for the browser and wish Chrome supported extensions because I do agree with you that running the proxy is not the best way to do this. Once it has proven stable and has a few more features it might be worth it. At the very least you need to be able to limit it to Chrome - I don't want to depend on that background service for all data.
So for now Adaway is the better all-rounder. It is a shame both are system wide so you can't use both where they are better suited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah ok, now I understand what you are getting at and I think our opinions are not that different. What I meant with my original post was "between the two in their current states, adaway is the better solution".
If chrome for android would get an addon system, I would probably install adblock for it too

Adaway issues with HTC M8

Hi Guys
I have noticed since upgrading to the latest firmware (4.4.4 build number 3.28.401.7) that adaway is creating issues with other apps. I frequently get error messages stating "unfortunately google service has closed ,,,,"
I could confirm this by disabling adaway then everything is fine
however I prefer to find a solution to this, maybe someone could recommend a better ad blocking app?
many thanks

Unfortunately adaway is the best but there are other that work well if you have xposed framework look for min min guard it works pretty well

spinninbsod said:
Unfortunately adaway is the best but there are other that work well if you have xposed framework look for min min guard it works pretty well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i did that and it didn't block ads on the app i was testing

No issues with Adaway and 4.4.4 for me.
Do you have any other issues with Google services? There is an issue with the US carrier AT&T, where Google services will sometimes fail on LTE with Euro based ROMs. It seems to be a problem with the Euro build.prop not playing well with AT&T's network.
Might have nothing to do with your issue, but might be worth trying another ROM at least.

redpoint73 said:
No issues with Adaway and 4.4.4 for me.
Do you have any other issues with Google services? There is an issue with the US carrier AT&T, where Google services will sometimes fail on LTE with Euro based ROMs. It seems to be a problem with the Euro build.prop not playing well with AT&T's network.
Might have nothing to do with your issue, but might be worth trying another ROM at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed it only with latest firmware+ROM, so i cannot be sure if it's the new firmware or the new rom
But Adaway is working fine on most apps, except one or two, where the ads are NOT appearing but the app is crashing
I often get the known message "unfortunately google service has closed..." but i also get a similar message stating the name of the app needs to be closed.
Is there a way to allow ads on certain apps through adaway? Maybe i can still use Adway but allow ads to show for apps that are crashing?
thanks

krihoum said:
Is there a way to allow ads on certain apps through adaway? Maybe i can still use Adway but allow ads to show for apps that are crashing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might try the Whitelist function in Adaway. Press Menu>Your Lists, and there you will see a tab for whitelists. Never used this myself, just know it exists. But it seems like it might do what you want.

redpoint73 said:
You might try the Whitelist function in Adaway. Press Menu>Your Lists, and there you will see a tab for whitelists. Never used this myself, just know it exists. But it seems like it might do what you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i can see it but when i want to add (using the + BUTTON) it asks me for a host name rather than an application name
i am not sure how to do that

krihoum said:
well i can see it but when i want to add (using the + BUTTON) it asks me for a host name rather than an application name
i am not sure how to do that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, so the white list is for hosts, not apps.
Go to Menu>Open hosts file. You will need a text editor of some sort installed (I have ES File Explorer installed, and the ES Note Editor opened the file fine - I'm guessing any text editor app will do). You'll find a large list of hosts. Try to find Google on there, and cut and paste the host name to your whitelist.
Again, I've never used the whitelist function before. So I'm just guessing how this works, and that it will help your issue.

redpoint73 said:
Ahh, so the white list is for hosts, not apps.
Go to Menu>Open hosts file. You will need a text editor of some sort installed (I have ES File Explorer installed, and the ES Note Editor opened the file fine - I'm guessing any text editor app will do). You'll find a large list of hosts. Try to find Google on there, and cut and paste the host name to your whitelist.
Again, I've never used the whitelist function before. So I'm just guessing how this works, and that it will help your issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a lot
it helps me understand how Adaway works but unfortunately nothing with the word GOOGLE in the long list
however i am white listing some french sites which might be the cause of the french app to crash (its an app that lists programme TV)

I used to use AdAway ages ago, but moved onto AdBlock quite a while ago. I don't know if it's intrinsically better than AdBlock, but AdBlock is working fine for me.
AdBlock Plus
It can work without root, but is better with root, which I guess you have.

Adaway simply modifies the local HOSTS file, causing all traffic to ad servers (as defined by the subscription servers) to be redirected to local host. Since there isn't a web server running on the phone by default, the requests just fall on the floor and time out. Some (poorly written) apps get grumbly when they can't contact a web server, so there is an option under preferences for running one on localhost. I'm not clear what it "serves", though.
Personally, unless the app needs network access to function, I find that simply blocking them with iptables (I use Droidwall) is sufficient.

jshamlet said:
Adaway simply modifies the local HOSTS file, causing all traffic to ad servers (as defined by the subscription servers) to be redirected to local host. Since there isn't a web server running on the phone by default, the requests just fall on the floor and time out. Some (poorly written) apps get grumbly when they can't contact a web server, so there is an option under preferences for running one on localhost. I'm not clear what it "serves", though.
Personally, unless the app needs network access to function, I find that simply blocking them with iptables (I use Droidwall) is sufficient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow i have to admit that this did the job and was properly tested! I run the webserver and the application works, i disable it and the application crashes
The only small issue i have now is that the webserver doesn't run automatically even when i select "start at boot" but that is not a huge problem
I guess i can clear my whitelist now, since the webserver is dealing with this
many thanks Again

I have a "xxooapp" folder and also getting random firefox popups when doing nothing

I have a "xxooapp" folder and also getting random firefox popups when doing nothing
For starters i have a folder on my phone called xxooapp and 3 random files with no extensions inside the folder.
Also I'm getting random popups in firefox and firefox focus while playing on my phone. I don't even have to be in in firefox to get popups. I have downloaded popup blockers and ad blockers for firefox and i also have adaway installed and no root firewall and blocked all apps that dont need internet. I also tried avg anti virus and it was clean. I've un-installed the last few programs that i have installed since it started but that didnt help either The webpage is newprofitcontrol.com/0/ every time
Any ideas on either of these? Thx

equlizer said:
For starters i have a folder on my phone called xxooapp and 3 random files with no extensions inside the folder...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ever Google xxooapp? Free games (and malware) woo hoo!

v12xke said:
Ever Google xxooapp? Free games (and malware) woo hoo!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you are using a different google than everyone else, all i see is nothing related to xxooapp except chinese/other languages.

I need qupzilla and uc browser appx

Hi! I install windows 10 rt in my surface rt 1. I thinks thats a solution for Internet Browser problems, but not
I have the same problems for navigate with a lot of page like youtube google classroom and a lot of
I need one browser can let me navigate within any problem. I read that qupzilla and uc browser are very good
but i cant find them. Anyone knows where can i download or give me a link of them. Thanks!

UC Browser is an ancient Windows RT version, will be much worse than Edge.
QupZilla is an ancient browser that no longer even exists and was turned into Falkon, the Windows RT port can't do https either so you're stuck being unable to access like 90% of the internet.
The trick is to use Windows 10 and play around with the hidden Edge settings like enabling web pages to use as much RAM as they want. Also it's recommended to use store apps wherever you can instead, for example use MyTube for YouTube, LikeBook for Facebook, etc.
And if there's no app already made for the site you want to access you can use PAWA or AllPWA to create a sort of PWA of it, it'll still run as a web page but performance is much better than in Edge with the added bonus of being able to set an user agent and access sites that block old Edge versions.
And for better performance remember to restrict running in background for apps that you don't explicitly need to do that (so apps you don't need to get notifications from) AND use game mode for an extra boost as well, also disable any unnecessary service like Windows Defender, search indexing, etc.

Ranomez said:
UC Browser is an ancient Windows RT version, will be much worse than Edge.
QupZilla is an ancient browser that no longer even exists and was turned into Falkon, the Windows RT port can't do https either so you're stuck being unable to access like 90% of the internet.
The trick is to use Windows 10 and play around with the hidden Edge settings like enabling web pages to use as much RAM as they want. Also it's recommended to use store apps wherever you can instead, for example use MyTube for YouTube, LikeBook for Facebook, etc.
And if there's no app already made for the site you want to access you can use PAWA or AllPWA to create a sort of PWA of it, it'll still run as a web page but performance is much better than in Edge with the added bonus of being able to set an user agent and access sites that block old Edge versions.
And for better performance remember to restrict running in background for apps that you don't explicitly need to do that (so apps you don't need to get notifications from) AND use game mode for an extra boost as well, also disable any unnecessary service like Windows Defender, search indexing, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi
thank you for your advice.
i install allpwa and pawa , but none of them add tile to my surface 2 10 arm start menu
and i still searching for a way to use web.whatsapp.

hamed7ir said:
hi
thank you for your advice.
i install allpwa and pawa , but none of them add tile to my surface 2 10 arm start menu
and i still searching for a way to use web.whatsapp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you grant it permission to add tiles on first add?
I personally tried on 3 tablets and there's a lot of users using them also without issues so you may be doing something wrong. Also remember the tiles side of the start menu scrolls separate from the apps side.
WhatsApp web worked perfectly with a Firefox UA in AllPWA last time I tried.