Apple is making noteworthy improvements to its Safari browser with a range of new features set to enhance the overall browsing experience. One of the most anticipated additions is the Distraction Control feature, which aims to address the frequent interruptions that many users face while navigating the web.
The Distraction Control feature, currently available to iOS 18 beta users, is designed to streamline the browsing experience by allowing users to hide various disruptive elements on webpages. This feature can conceal a range of distractions, including sign-in windows, cookie preference pop-ups, newsletter signup banners, and autoplay videos. By minimizing these interruptions, Distraction Control helps users maintain focus and enjoy a cleaner, more organized browsing environment.
It’s crucial to distinguish that Distraction Control is not an ad blocker. While it can temporarily hide ads, it does not offer a permanent solution for ad removal. Ads will reappear when the page is refreshed, as the feature is not intended to manage dynamic or frequently changing elements. Instead, it is aimed at addressing static distractions that can detract from the browsing experience.
The feature is currently accessible to developers through the fifth beta release of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. It is expected to become available to a broader audience of public beta testers in the near future. To use Distraction Control, users need to access the Page Menu in Safari and select the option to hide distracting items. This functionality allows users to choose specific areas or static content they wish to conceal, thus enabling a more focused and uninterrupted browsing session.
In addition to Distraction Control, Safari in iOS 18 will introduce several other new features aimed at enhancing the browsing experience. One such feature is Highlights, which enables users to quickly access and surface relevant information on a website. The redesigned Reader interface will provide an improved content display, incorporating tables and summaries to make reading easier and more efficient. Furthermore, the new video viewer will work to reduce distractions while watching videos online, offering a more immersive viewing experience.
These updates demonstrate Apple’s commitment to refining and improving its browser to better meet the needs of its users. By incorporating features like Distraction Control and other enhancements, Apple aims to create a more user-friendly and efficient browsing experience that allows users to navigate the web with greater ease and focus.
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