Apple has rolled out the early version of its newest feature, Distraction Control, through new developer betas of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. This innovative tool allows users to remove distracting elements from a website, providing a more focused and streamlined browsing experience.
What is Distraction Control?
Distraction Control is an extension of Apple’s ongoing effort to provide users with greater control over their online interactions. The feature follows the introduction of Boost by Arc Browser last year, which enabled users to remove features from websites and customize their appearance. With Distraction Control, users can now tailor their browsing experience even further by eliminating unwanted elements.
Accessing Distraction Control
To access the Distraction Control tool, users can navigate to the Page Menu in the Smart Search field of Safari. From there, they can select the item on the website they wish to remove. The feature will remember to remove the elements each time the user visits the site, but it’s worth noting that the choice doesn’t currently sync across hardware. Users will need to hide distracting elements on each new device.
How Does It Work?
When users click on the blue Hide icon in the search field, they can select ‘Hide item’ to remove the unwanted element from their browsing experience. To unhide any hidden items, users can simply click on the Show hidden items option. This allows for a seamless and efficient way to customize websites according to individual preferences.
Limitations of Distraction Control
While Distraction Control offers a wealth of possibilities for website customization, there are some limitations to be aware of. Apple has stated that the feature won’t remove ads or sections with frequently changing content. This means that users may still encounter distracting elements on certain websites, even after applying Distraction Control.
Will It Be Able to Remove Dynamic Content?
One potential limitation of Distraction Control is its ability to handle dynamic content. For example, a section like ‘Who to follow’ or ‘Explore’ on X may appear in the same place on the home page, but the content within those boxes is constantly changing. In our testing last year, Arc Browser’s Boost tool was able to remove these sections effectively.
Redesigned Reader and Highlights
In addition to Distraction Control, Apple has also introduced a redesigned reader for better listening and font controls in iOS 18. This feature provides users with an improved reading experience, allowing them to customize font sizes and styles more easily. Furthermore, Highlights is a new feature that will surface important information from a page, including quick links for driving directions, call information, and summaries of TV show reviews mentioned on a page.
Conclusion
Safari’s Distraction Control marks an exciting development in website customization, providing users with even greater control over their online interactions. With its ability to remove distracting elements from websites, this feature has the potential to revolutionize the way we browse the internet.
Additional Features in iOS 18
- Redesigned reader for better listening and font controls
- Highlights: a feature that surfaces important information from a page
By incorporating Distraction Control into Safari, Apple is further enhancing its commitment to user experience. This innovative tool has the potential to reshape the way we interact with websites and online content.
Related Stories
- Apple Introduces Redesigned Reader for Better Listening and Font Controls in iOS 18
- Highlights: A New Feature that Surfaces Important Information from a Page
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