Safari View Controller

Sidefari update brings modal Safari View Controller access to iPhone

Sidefari, an app best know for allowing iPad users to view two Safari windows side by side using Split View, has received a noteworthy update that brings the app to the iPhone. Obviously, the iPhone doesn't support Split View, but the update brings on-demand modal Safari View Controller support to the small screen.

What benefit is this? Well, not all apps have built in support for Safari View Controller. Instead, they rely on their own built-in browser for viewing web content. Not only does this result in an inconsistent experience, but app-based browsers lack such features as keychain access, content blocker access, and more.

Sidefari review: A clever app that lets you use two Safari windows with Split View

Sidefari, an App Store app first brought to my attention by MacStories, is a release that allows you to view two Safari windows side by side by means of some clever use of iOS 9's Safari View Controller.

The app, which is available for purchase for only $0.99, comes courtesy of developer Franscico Cantu. Just made available today, Sidefari can come in handy for any user with an iPad that's capable of Split View, but will be something that is most appreciated by iPad Pro owners.

Apple releases iOS 9.2 for public beta testers

Not long after it seeded iOS 9.2 beta 1 to developers, Apple has released iOS 9.2 for public beta testers on its public beta program website. iOS 9.2 is a small update, but as we told you about, it brings some significant new features to iOS 9's new Safari View Controller for embedded web views.

If you're already a member of the public beta, or if you'd like to join, simply head over to Apple's beta website to get started.

New in iOS 9.2 beta: a look at Safari View Controller updates

Yesterday, Apple released iOS 9.2 beta 1 to developers. As we explained, the update ushered in a couple of new features to iOS 9's Safari View Controller.

In iOS 9.2 beta 1, Safari View Controller gets a bit more powerful. It now has the ability to request a desktop site directly from the view controller, disable content blockers, and it can interface with Action Extensions, such as the 1Password extension.

In the video that follows, I showcase both new features, and compare them with an older version of iOS 9.

Apple releases iOS 9.2 beta 1 to developers, bringing more options to Safari View Controller

Apple has released the first beta for iOS 9.2. The beta, which is accessible via Apple's developer center, comes in at build 13C5055d.

Unlike some of Apple's more recent beta releases, iOS 9.2 beta 1 includes iOS SDK Release Notes! This beta release is focused primarily on the new iOS 9 technology, Safari View Controller, making it more like standalone Safari. Check out the rest of this post to see what the new beta includes.

New tweak adds Safari View Controller support to Twitter, Gmail, WhatsApp and Alien Blue

Safari View Controller is a new feature in iOS 9 that lets developers enable an in-app browser based on Safari that taps into many of the features that make using standalone Safari so great. Some of the benefits are the ability to use current logins, access the keychain and use autofill.

Previously, developers had to come up with their own browsers for their apps, which meant that users couldn't tap into ongoing logins, the keychain, or use autofill when viewing the web through these browsers. That resulted in, as you can probably attest to, a less that ideal and disconnected user experience.

Apple has fixed this issue by allowing developers to use Safari View Controller in order to bridge the gap between the sites and data that they already use, and the apps that they love.

Unfortunately, not all apps yet support Safari View Controller. Some popular apps, like Gmail, Twitter, and WhatsApp, to name a few, still use their own built in browsers. SFSafariViewController all the things is a brand new tweak that aims to fix this issue.