Introducing adX Launcher

On By Dustin MorganIn Ads, android, YouTubeLeave a comment

We at SEVEN Networks have been in the Android ad-blocking world for some time now, from our original releases of Open Channel, AdClear, AdClear for iOS, and AdClear Content Blocker for Android. But now we want to tell you about our latest product, the first ad-blocking launcher for Android adX Launcher.

In short: adX Launcher replaces your home screen, allowing you to launch apps through your new home screen ad and tracker free. Its goal is to replace old mechanisms like VPN, root, and others with a simpler version that blocks even more ads than the former could offer.

How it started?

While working on our previous solutions, we noticed a common trend. These apps were difficult to set up correctly and unavailable on Google Play for download and automatic updates. Even for those users who managed to get everything set up, they still faced some apps unable to block, annoying VPN issues and notifications, or ad blocking causing a blank square to appear instead of an ad. Our team set out to work on a solution that could solve these issues. After a lot of research and development, adX Launcher was born.

Why use it?

adX Launcher can do things other ad blockers can’t. First, adX Launcher is completely self-contained and only blocks ads within itself. To do this, we run an app in a process that we control so that we can hook into this process at runtime and make modifications, such as removing ads and trackers. This powerful mechanism allows us to do things other ad blockers never could and support apps that were previously not possible under previous mechanisms such as DNS, root, or VPN-based solutions.

One example of this is our ability to hide ad containers that normally would be left as a blank rectangle in an app with ad blocking.

Another common circumvention to ad blocking is certificate pinning which prevents other ad blockers from blocking ad requests. This limit does not apply to adX Launcher.

Where we are?

adX Launcher is now in a public beta. We have a lot of work left to do before we are ready for prime time, but we are excited to show you what we have and have our community help shape the development of our latest app. Right now, for our first iteration, we are primarily supporting YouTube. We will add support for more apps in future releases.

If you would like to join us, please download the app from Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.seven.mx.launcher

If you would like to request an app to support or lets us know about a bug please see our GitHub page: https://github.com/SEVENNetworks/adXLauncher

What to expect?

When you launch the app, adX Launcher will appear as your home screen, so don’t get surprised if no separate “app” is launched. When opening the App Drawer, you will see an adX badge on any app we have enhanced, as seen in the screenshot below. 

If you want to launch an app without enhancements, long-hold the app icon for a menu with launch options.

How to set adX Launcher as default?​

adX Launcher is designed to replace your default home screen, and apps must be launched through it to block ads and trackers. To ensure apps are always launched with adX, we recommend running adX as your default Launcher.

To set it:​

1. Open Android Settings

2. Search “default home app”

3. Select adX Launcher as your default home app4.

To remove:​

1. Open Android Settings

2. Search “default home app”

3. Select your previous default home app

Future plans

We plan to continue extending support, focusing first on social media, streaming services, and games to support all apps out of the box.

AdClear UI Release Update

On By csandlinIn android, AnnouncementsLeave a comment

Hello users!

By now, you’ve probably already updated to version 503621 with the UI update. Beta testing went well, but of course some problems reveal themselves only through numbers. If you’re experiencing any problems, please let us know through Help and Feedback.

We’re still polishing up some of the features, but they should be coming within the next few weeks. If you are in Beta, expect rapid updates while we put these new additions under the microscope. Our team is working round the clock, and they’re knocking out milestones daily. We should be on time to get the Firewall, Doze mode, and other UI enhancements out very soon.

Stay tuned!

Help Beta Test AdClear for iOS!

On By csandlinIn iOSLeave a comment

We have exciting news to share! AdClear for iOS is available to beta test! We would really appreciate your help in making sure AdClear is up to standard before it’s released to the public. Joining takes a few easy steps:

  1. Download the TestFlight app. This is Apple’s own application that allows developers to conduct beta tests.
  2. Sign up for the beta on our website. You must use your Apple ID email address.
  3. You’ll receive an email from us containing a code (note: It won’t be automatically sent. We’ll be sending them out in batches). Enter that code in TestFlight, and you’ll be able to download the app!

Keep us posted on any feedback you may have on either our GitHub page or via email at feedback@seven.com.

Are You Really Dooming the Free Web by Using an Ad Blocker?

On By csandlinIn Ads, PrivacyLeave a comment

Of course not.

Users, if you feel any guilt about blocking ads, know that you can choose which apps and domains you want to support through AdClear’s App Management and Domain Whitelist screens. Most of our users do; perhaps because you are level-headed people and not the foaming-at-the-mouth barbarians the media paints you out to be. Framing users like this allows advertisers to say, ‘If we could just be civil we could figure this out.’ This oft-mentioned but never defined ‘civility’ is simply for ad blockers to go away. It’s just a tool to stay in power, as it’s easy to frame calmness as more important than fairness nowadays.

Continue reading “Are You Really Dooming the Free Web by Using an Ad Blocker?” →

YouTube on Nougat: Our Recommendations

On By csandlinIn Ads, Nougat, YouTubeLeave a comment

As we’ve previously noted, Nougat’s changes to user certificates has caused Advanced Protection to be less effective than normal. Since it’s our main tool for blocking YouTube ads, users have been disappointed in not seeing the same performance as before when browsing YouTube. We are still investigating ways to overcome this without rooting, but we have found some simple moves that will have an immediate impact.

Continue reading “YouTube on Nougat: Our Recommendations” →

Did You Know Google Will Start Ranking Pages with Intrusive Ads Lower?

On By csandlinIn Ads, SecurityLeave a comment

In the middle of last year, Google took steps to protect their search engine users. Besides their wishy-washy AMP initiative, Google has taken steps to remove malicious ads from front page results. Though that may be accomplished already with popular searches (e.g. Coca-Cola), it wasn’t uncommon for more esoteric searches to bring sketchy results. Most people don’t realize when malware infects their devices, so Google took it upon themselves (tragically lately so) to do something about it. Starting on January 10th, these changes will come into effect.

Continue reading “Did You Know Google Will Start Ranking Pages with Intrusive Ads Lower?” →