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1. happyb+(OP)[view] [source] 2023-02-23 23:11:14
I develop a popular iOS and macOS ad blocker that block almost all ads[1] including all YouTube ads.

Will be interested to hear if you've tried it out and what may have been missing?

The only things we don't block at the moment is some non-English content and Adult sites. With a small team these haven't been the primary focus for the time being. Other than those though we should stop pretty much everything else.

[1] https://www.magiclasso.co/

replies(5): >>ryania+s1 >>gigate+r2 >>Nikola+Sb >>tomp+Aj >>bdlowe+ZC
2. ryania+s1[view] [source] 2023-02-23 23:19:17
>>happyb+(OP)
Hey thanks for Magic Lasso. I've had it installed for years. Only after starting my app library from fresh did I realize how much I missed it (and it took me quite a while to figure out and remember that it was magiclasso doing the heavy lifting - easy to install and forget!)
replies(1): >>happyb+m4
3. gigate+r2[view] [source] 2023-02-23 23:24:50
>>happyb+(OP)
The app works well enough but I deleted it. After setting it all up there’s no mention that it will work without the subscription. There’s no mode to say “continue without the subscription using the free services” just a very large button and a description of the price to subscribe. That’s hella sus. Also the very first screen doesn’t let you opt out of notifications or skip it with “setup later” etc etc — these customer / user hostile patterns had me so jaded I deleted the app and won’t go back.
replies(2): >>radica+G3 >>happyb+64
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4. radica+G3[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-02-23 23:32:19
>>gigate+r2
Try Wipr (https://giorgiocalderolla.com/wipr.html)
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5. happyb+64[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-02-23 23:34:10
>>gigate+r2
Appreciate the feedback. We'll take it on board for improvements in the future.

We recently moved to a paid app model with a 30-day free trial available (from a freemium app model).

Understand that this is not as appealing as a free-forever product. We found that we had hundreds of thousands of free users and not enough paid users. After developing the app for many years under this model, we had to make some changes so that we could continue to fund the ongoing app development and updates.

The notification prompt can also be declined in the alert that appears; though we could make this more obvious with a clear 'Skip' button.

replies(4): >>cactus+h8 >>kazina+6l >>culopa+NR1 >>gigate+1Ab
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6. happyb+m4[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-02-23 23:35:57
>>ryania+s1
Don't worry I'm the same!

If you use an ad blocker for a long time, it's easy to forget how bad the web can be without one.

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7. cactus+h8[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-02-23 23:58:35
>>happyb+64
How does this compare with just using Brave?
replies(1): >>TedDoe+JF
8. Nikola+Sb[view] [source] 2023-02-24 00:21:48
>>happyb+(OP)
Lol - I installed and paid... And then realized I havent opened safari since I got the phone. I assume it only works in safari and not chrome?

I clearly need more sleep...

replies(1): >>calt+Fk
9. tomp+Aj[view] [source] 2023-02-24 01:14:22
>>happyb+(OP)
Does it block Twitter ads?
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10. calt+Fk[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-02-24 01:22:25
>>Nikola+Sb
It might work for chrome since safari is actually the only browser on iOS.

Chrome iOS app is just a skin over safari with some of the history/bookmark/etc syncing.

replies(1): >>panopt+ks
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11. kazina+6l[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-02-24 01:25:29
>>happyb+64
> We found that we had hundreds of thousands of free users and not enough paid users.

Have you tried advertising? :)

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12. panopt+ks[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-02-24 02:17:15
>>calt+Fk
While Chrome uses the same rendering and JS engines as Safari under the hood, it doesn't share all features (like the extensions API). I think only DNS-based ad blockers work for both and content API-based ad blockers like Magic Lasso don't.
13. bdlowe+ZC[view] [source] 2023-02-24 03:52:01
>>happyb+(OP)
What’s the difference between this app and AdGuard?
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14. TedDoe+JF[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-02-24 04:19:54
>>cactus+h8
That’s what I’m using now and love it.
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15. culopa+NR1[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-02-24 15:19:00
>>happyb+64
Understandable, but if I’m getting ads because I’m not subscribed to things, I don’t want to suscribe to avoid those ads. I would likely pay a one time fee, but not yet another subscription.

I know you have your reasonings, but I’ll give you my raw unfiltered train of thought of why I wouldn’t sign up in case it helps you in your business:

“It’s only 30 bucks a year” say 100 other apps. I get it, you’re trying to make money, but there are many other ways of doing this for free. You’re not offering that much product to me that’s worth a subscription. Netflix? I actively use it every night. Spotify? Several hours a day. Blocking ads? Maybe a one time fee.

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16. gigate+1Ab[view] [source] [discussion] 2023-02-27 22:10:00
>>happyb+64
Other than paying yourselves which makes 100% sense what if any serverside or other costs does this app/plug-in incur if the filtering is being done from within safari?
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