Month: January 2016

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Cookie Box App Review – Block EU Cookie Law Notices From iOS

Block EU notices on iOS with Cookie Box App 

Here at Onefruit, we appreciate solutions that are quick, safe and effective. It was the driving force behind developing our Chargebus charging stations. Because of that, we’re really excited about a new iOS app for iOS 9 users that will make using those devices a better experience.

The app is called Cookie Box. It’s a simple, free content blocker that gets around the annoying EU Cookie Law.

For those that don’t know, the directive to set up a “Cookie Law” was accepted by all nations in the EU in 2011. Countries such as the UK have begun to enforce the law. Every website is now required to ask permission to store cookies on your computer.

Cookies are little bits of programming that are installed in your web browser (Safari, Chrome, Internet Explorer, etc) that basically remember things for you. Isn’t it convenient when a website keeps you logged in day after day? That’s because of cookies. Or, when you are searching the web and links you’ve already clicked on are colored differently than new ones. That’s also cookies.

Because this technology can also be used maliciously to track users, the law seeks to protect them by requiring us to opt-in to use cookies on a case-by-case basis. In comes protection, out goes convenience.

That means you need to accept the use of cookies for every single website you visit. Yes. Every single one. Who has time for that? Not to mention, our phones and tablets are convenient because they’re small. We don’t want to have ads taking up valuable real estate when all you wanted to do was check the news or a social network.

cookie box logo

Enter Cookie Box. The app is a simple content blocker that removes those pop-ups, banners, and check-boxes begging for your permission to use Cookies, and gets you right into surfing the website.

Simply install the App, enable it in Settings, and no more Cookie requests. Quick, safe and effective.

We told you we liked that. Download Cookie Box from the App Store or visit the developers website.

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Why iOS Is the Best for Accessibility

Apple Accessibility Icon

Dragons. Artificially Intelligent Assistants. Screens that react to pressure and not just taps. Together they sound like the makings of a sci-fi story. In reality, though, it’s the story of billions of dollars worth of research and development that have turned iOS devices into powerhouses for the blind and developmentally disabled.

Steve Jobs may have famously touted the campaign slogan “It Just Works” when talking about Macs, but seeing Accessibility on iOS devices is where it’s really impressive.

I recently had the opportunity to attend an Accessibility Workshop at an Apple Retail store. In attendance were nearly 20 deaf, blind and developmentally disabled individuals. What they were able to do with their phones and iPads made me severely question how much I get out of my own devices!

Siri, the talking assistant in all iOS devices, opens up huge control of the iPhone and iPad even without needing the dexterity to handle a phone. Sending texts, replying to emails, opening and closing apps, and even taking selfies are just as a simple as saying “Hey, Siri” or holding down the home button.

One blind man demonstrated how he was able control his entire phone without even having to look at it. VoiceOver and Speak Screen will audibly describe everything on a webpage, app or even the interface. For privacy, blind users can also use headphones and black out the screen.

But that’s just the beginning.

Technology comes built-in that makes the devices open to any one with physical or motor skills. Assistive Touch is a feature that allows a user to pre-program custom gestures on the screen. For example, one tap of your finger on the screen can be a “pinch” or “swipe”, and you only need the one finger to do it. Another accessibility feature, Switch Control, allows you to navigate sequentially through onscreen items.

Deaf users can also utilise unique features like custom vibrations and flashes of the camera- light to communicate notifications on their phone.

Apple has also developed technologies like Guided Access for individuals with Autism or other sensory challenges.

Additionally, iOS Devices are all compatible with a wide-range of external braille interfaces and hearing aids.

And it all comes ready-made in the package. Similar software for a computer could cost into the hundreds of pounds, and even then only offer one or a few of these tools. iOS devices come pre-programmed for easy use for anyone that wants to use it.

And the best part? It just works.