10 votes

iOS 16 bringing support for web notifications next year

14 comments

  1. [7]
    skybrian
    Link
    It seems potentially useful, but on the other hand, notifications are the new email, and they're sometimes abused. We're going to need better spam filters.

    It seems potentially useful, but on the other hand, notifications are the new email, and they're sometimes abused. We're going to need better spam filters.

    3 votes
    1. [6]
      mtset
      Link Parent
      They're already opt-in...

      They're already opt-in...

      4 votes
      1. [4]
        skybrian
        Link Parent
        That works so long as the permissions are granular enough, so they don’t send ads on the same channel as notifications you actually need.

        That works so long as the permissions are granular enough, so they don’t send ads on the same channel as notifications you actually need.

        1. [3]
          helloworld
          Link Parent
          Load of good that did on Android. Many apps have only one channel and its all-or-nothing affair.

          Load of good that did on Android. Many apps have only one channel and its all-or-nothing affair.

          1 vote
          1. [2]
            mtset
            Link Parent
            Fwiw I use Android 12 very extensively and don't experience this. I think apps that do this are quite abusive - perhaps Facebook and its ilk?

            Fwiw I use Android 12 very extensively and don't experience this. I think apps that do this are quite abusive - perhaps Facebook and its ilk?

            2 votes
            1. helloworld
              Link Parent
              Problem is, the apps that have good channels are already respectful of users. Apps that don't are not and abuse the living hell out of those notifications. Somewhat fittingly, these are also the...

              Problem is, the apps that have good channels are already respectful of users. Apps that don't are not and abuse the living hell out of those notifications. Somewhat fittingly, these are also the apps that are often required for stuff. My Bank apps for e.g. are prime offenders.

              1 vote
      2. Akir
        Link Parent
        When marketers want you to do something they are forced to keep opt-in, it becomes a choice of opting in or being continually nagged to opt in.

        When marketers want you to do something they are forced to keep opt-in, it becomes a choice of opting in or being continually nagged to opt in.

  2. [7]
    starchturrets
    Link
    I think this is an awesome development, if overdue by literal years. In the past, I’ve tried to move away from using the Instagram native app (essential for communicating with classmates...

    I think this is an awesome development, if overdue by literal years. In the past, I’ve tried to move away from using the Instagram native app (essential for communicating with classmates unfortunately) due to privacy concerns, and the web app simply wasn’t cutting it due to lack of notifications support.

    1 vote
    1. [6]
      babypuncher
      Link Parent
      I'm not so sure. I do not look forward to every single website asking if I want notifications on my iPhone. Hopefully Apple has the good sense to give me an option to automatically opt out of all...

      I'm not so sure. I do not look forward to every single website asking if I want notifications on my iPhone.

      Hopefully Apple has the good sense to give me an option to automatically opt out of all notification requests like Firefox does.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        mtset
        Link Parent
        Or they could just let people actually use Firefox...

        Or they could just let people actually use Firefox...

        5 votes
        1. FrankGrimes
          Link Parent
          This is what annoys me - they force everyone to use Safari (or skinned versions of it). Either get WebKit up to date with the times by fully supporting PWA's like Chrome/Firefox, or let people...

          This is what annoys me - they force everyone to use Safari (or skinned versions of it). Either get WebKit up to date with the times by fully supporting PWA's like Chrome/Firefox, or let people choose to use a browser that does.

      2. [3]
        Weldawadyathink
        Link Parent
        Worst case scenario, an app like Hush will be able to remove them. Likely Hush itself will add that.

        Worst case scenario, an app like Hush will be able to remove them. Likely Hush itself will add that.

        1. [2]
          babypuncher
          Link Parent
          I do not think an app that messes with Safari like that is going to make it past the App Store's review process. Knowing Apple, I'm sure they will have an option to auto-reject these in Safari....

          I do not think an app that messes with Safari like that is going to make it past the App Store's review process.

          Knowing Apple, I'm sure they will have an option to auto-reject these in Safari. I'm just surprised they bothered to implement it at all given how badly most websites abuse the API.

          1. Weldawadyathink
            Link Parent
            I didn’t link the app, but it exists already. Currently it removes email signup nags and cookies reminders. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hush-nag-blocker/id1544743900 I could absolutely see the...

            I didn’t link the app, but it exists already. Currently it removes email signup nags and cookies reminders. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hush-nag-blocker/id1544743900
            I could absolutely see the developer adding an auto reject for notifications.

            This app is built on safari’s content blockers framework. Safari also supports complete extensions as of last year.

            Also a shoutout for amplosion (redirecting AMP links to the real site) and AdGuard (desktop class Adblock in safari without a vpn, or across the entire device with a local vpn).