Exploring the Apple Ecosystem
StopTheScript is a Safari extension for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS that blocks all JavaScript—including both inline and external scripts—on selected websites, surpassing Safari content blockers which only block external JavaScript. Compatible with iOS/iPadOS 15–27 and macOS 12 Monterey through 27 Golden Gate (Safari 17+ required), it also offers a feature to bypass HTML
TerminalWidget is a universal app for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS that allows users to display terminal command output, scripts, APIs, and Shortcuts results directly on customizable widgets with rich formatting, charts, progress bars, and images. It supports synchronization across multiple Apple devices via iCloud and offers various integration methods including a command-line interface, AppleScript, Shortcuts, and URL schemes for automation and updates. Available on the App Store for $19.99, TerminalWidget enables real-time, interactive widget updates tailored for developer and productivity workflows.
Loupe is a privacy-focused iOS and iPadOS app that reveals the types of device information accessible to native apps through public iOS APIs, demonstrating how this data collectively creates a device fingerprint for tracking. It categorizes data access into passive (no prompt), permission-based, and advanced side-channel signals, showing users exactly what their device exposes without sending any data off-device. The app is open source, built mainly using AI coding tools, and aims to raise awareness about app tracking practices on Apple devices.
The article highlights numerous subtle yet meaningful software and system improvements announced at WWDC26 across Apple's ecosystem, including enhancements to Photos, Messages, Mail, Safari, Health, and many other apps and services. These refinements focus on smoothing workflows, fixing longstanding issues, boosting performance, expanding language support, and improving accessibility, reflecting Apple's attention to detail and commitment to user experience. Many updates also target better integration and efficiency across macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and visionOS, underlining enhancements in productivity and ecosystem cohesion.
iOS 26's Phone app redesign introduces a Unified view merging Favorites and Recents, while retaining a Classic view for users preferring the old layout. The Unified view improves usability by preventing accidental calls, offers a more sophisticated search feature, and integrates recent calls and voicemails effectively. While there are advantages to both views, such as more visible recent calls in Classic and the appealing design of Unified, the Unified view is recommended for its practical enhancements. Overall, the redesign seeks to streamline functions that remain essential in today's phone usage.
https://tidbits.com/2025/11/10/comparing-the-classic-and-unified-views-in-ios-26s-phone-app/
Adoption of iOS 26 is slower than previous updates, possibly due to user resistance to its Liquid Glass design. Statcounter data suggests inaccurate low adoption rates due to changes in iOS 26 affecting user-agent reporting. Comparatively, earlier iOS versions maintained higher adoption rates; iOS 26 faces slower uptake but may reach historical levels if properly monitored. Users may need to upgrade to receive security updates, as older versions will no longer receive support.