Q: Nexus 7 and Ad Blocking

[Cloq]

*UPDATE*

Ok, I have had my Nexus 7 for a couple days. It is currently rooted and installed Adaway (free and opensource).

Rooting it with WugFresh was relatively easy but time consuming since I was learning what it was doing and how.

Once rooted, I download Adaway from Google's store. Figuring it out was really easy. It auto downloads a couple lists from well known hosts file sites. What I found impressive was that I was able to use my custom list (uploaded it to the download folder via usb from my computer). A reboot later and ad sites were blocked, faster browsing and snappier web pages.

Using Straight Talk with it, seems to be working well. Still playing with it, one thing I noticed about the screen, it gets oily pretty quickly compared to an iPad.

Now I am off to find and play with widgets!

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Having "borrowed" a Nexus 7 recently, I am considering purchasing one.

I am also considering jail breaking it so that I can upload/use a hosts file for global ad blocking and general browser "speed up" (not having to wait/download ads especially flash based).

If my thinking is correct, app that tries to call any of the listed ad sites, wouldn't just show blank space something similar. Basically save a little bandwidth and possibly faster page render.

Is it possible to update the hosts file without jail breaking?

I know a hosts file isn't an ideal method, but is there another option?

Thoughts and ideas would be appreciated.

thanks!

[jgpaiva]

I also have one, so I'm interested in this topic

Have you tried using firefox with adblock? According to this thread, it has worked sometime in the past (maybe it's not working now?).

[Cloq]

Easy Jail break/root Nexus 7 and other android based devices:

WugFresh

[xtabber]

The most recent WugFresh Nexus Root Toolkit (1.5.5) is dated November 5, 2012. 

My Nexus 7 received an OTA update to Jelly Bean 4.2 just a few days ago.  If you were also updated to 4.2, you might want to wait for the next version of the WugFresh toolikit before applying it, just to be sure it handles the latest mods from Google.

[Deozaan]

I use Ad Free Android which seems to work well, but it does require root to handle the hosts file. Though honestly I don't use the web browser a whole lot so maybe I don't notice ads? But I don't see ads in my apps either.

[Cloq]

@Deozaan

Thanks for the link. I will give it a try once I get my Nexus 7.