A week ago, Google quietly removed all ad-blocking apps from its Google Play Store. Android has long been known as the “open” platform for smartphone users to install whatever they want. This move by Google has infuriated many Android users who think Google is turning away from Android’s open roots.
Developers like Adblock Plus aren’t taking things lightly and have begun offering their app as a direct download from their site. Android users will have to enable installing apps from “unknown sources” in the setting but the rest will be easy. Users won’t even need to type in a URL on their phone as Adblock Plus provides a QR code for users to scan.
Changes in this version of Adblock Plus include the ability to automatically update the app, something Facebook is currently experimenting with. Here’s the full changelog:
- Implemented automatic updates
- Added a dialog to help with the manual proxy configuration
- Separated filtering and proxy activation settings to avoid loss of connectivity after manual configuration
- Switched to the Holo user interface theme
- Improved icon hiding
- Implemented a workaround for a Chrome issue causing blank pages
- Fixed an issue with URLs containing apostrophes
While it’s a minor annoyance to have to sideload Adblock Plus, it’s nice to see the company standing behind its product and providing its users with a means to continue using Adblock Plus.
Source: Adblock Plus
