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I've been watching the web now for about 20 years and the one thing I've noticed is that we now seem to be at the turning point where Apple is dictating what th

I've been watching the web now for about 20 years and the one thing I've noticed is that we now seem to be at the turning point where Apple is dictating what the web is. It wasn't that long ago when Google calling the shots and developers paying attention to every last word that someone like Matt Cutts would say. From what I seeing those days are now over. This isn't to say that the open web is dead is dead, but I'm seeing it turn into a backwater. Also what I'm not crazy about is that unlike the old days of packaged software where there were several distribution networks, it feels to me in the US that there are maybe only two app stores that have any merit. And keep in mind that back in the day you didn't need Microsoft's permission to make a title. So this walled garden feels even more closed than what I use to see in the 90s.

muddi900 11y ago
I am just shocked that people think that Apple's implementation has much bearing on how most people use the web. Most hits come from webview through Facebook and twitter, which do not get extensions. I personally use Chrome on my iPad, because the Safari UI has the same problems it had in 2010. Neither, Google nor Apple have much control over the web; Facebook does. I'd say the only people who should fret is porn sites. Most people who browse porn on their mobile devices will probably be the first to jump on these, because those are really awful.
- roymurdock 11y ago
  > Neither, Google nor Apple have much control over the web; Facebook does. Mind explaining this further?
  - michaelpinto 11y ago
    I think the argument is that most people when browsing on iOS aren't even using the Safari app, but in fact clicking on links inside of Facebook and Twitter which use the built in browser rather than going to Safari. And to be fair I can see that being the case depending on the site.
  - muddi900 11y ago
    I did. Facebook drives most of the traffic towards news and media sites; http://fortune.com/2015/08/18/facebook-google/ http://fortune.com/2015/08/18/facebook-google/ It is also the most used app on the mobile devices by a large margin; http://marketingland.com/facebook-most-used-mobile-app-google-10th-67109 http://marketingland.com/facebook-most-used-mobile-app-googl... [Primary sources seem to be behind paywall) There is a large group of users whose first internet connected device is a smartphone, so Facebook has an cultural grip on the net that seems unassailable. Facebook still hasn't figured out how to capitalize on that besides forcing businesses to shell out to reach the userbase, but if they do, Google have a lot to worry about. My original comment was an oversimplification though; The big G is still the largest contributor to referrals to specific info, like ecommerce listings and scholar texts. Apple's attempt at information services have been stillborn till now. Maps does not work in most of the world and Siri might as well be the world's most racist digital assistant since it can't understand any accents in English. The additions in iOS9 seems well integrated, but I have to test them in my other home on the other side of the world, where Apple does not have a significant market share. I don't think Apple takes this section of their business all that seriously.
- r00fus 11y ago
  I'm agreeing with this. MobileSafari is literally about half of my iOS browsing usage - I end up in Chrome a lot because I use feedly/minihack/flipboard and my wife uses Facebook. This will change if more of the above begin using browsers leveraging SFSafariViewController. Obviously I doubt anything embedding Chrome will ever benefit from iOS content blocking.
  - muddi900 11y ago
    I specifically use Newsify over Feedly's own app because it allows me to use Chrome to open links. Ironically I use Firefox on my Android phone, because you can use extensions...such as adblock :)

muddi900 11y ago

I am just shocked that people think that Apple's implementation has much bearing on how most people use the web. Most hits come from webview through Facebook and twitter, which do not get extensions. I personally use Chrome on my iPad, because the Safari UI has the same problems it had in 2010. Neither, Google nor Apple have much control over the web; Facebook does. I'd say the only people who should fret is porn sites. Most people who browse porn on their mobile devices will probably be the first to jump on these, because those are really awful.

roymurdock 11y ago
> Neither, Google nor Apple have much control over the web; Facebook does. Mind explaining this further?
- michaelpinto 11y ago
  I think the argument is that most people when browsing on iOS aren't even using the Safari app, but in fact clicking on links inside of Facebook and Twitter which use the built in browser rather than going to Safari. And to be fair I can see that being the case depending on the site.
- muddi900 11y ago
  I did. Facebook drives most of the traffic towards news and media sites; http://fortune.com/2015/08/18/facebook-google/ http://fortune.com/2015/08/18/facebook-google/ It is also the most used app on the mobile devices by a large margin; http://marketingland.com/facebook-most-used-mobile-app-google-10th-67109 http://marketingland.com/facebook-most-used-mobile-app-googl... [Primary sources seem to be behind paywall) There is a large group of users whose first internet connected device is a smartphone, so Facebook has an cultural grip on the net that seems unassailable. Facebook still hasn't figured out how to capitalize on that besides forcing businesses to shell out to reach the userbase, but if they do, Google have a lot to worry about. My original comment was an oversimplification though; The big G is still the largest contributor to referrals to specific info, like ecommerce listings and scholar texts. Apple's attempt at information services have been stillborn till now. Maps does not work in most of the world and Siri might as well be the world's most racist digital assistant since it can't understand any accents in English. The additions in iOS9 seems well integrated, but I have to test them in my other home on the other side of the world, where Apple does not have a significant market share. I don't think Apple takes this section of their business all that seriously.
r00fus 11y ago
I'm agreeing with this. MobileSafari is literally about half of my iOS browsing usage - I end up in Chrome a lot because I use feedly/minihack/flipboard and my wife uses Facebook. This will change if more of the above begin using browsers leveraging SFSafariViewController. Obviously I doubt anything embedding Chrome will ever benefit from iOS content blocking.
- muddi900 11y ago
  I specifically use Newsify over Feedly's own app because it allows me to use Chrome to open links. Ironically I use Firefox on my Android phone, because you can use extensions...such as adblock :)