Please explain “Experimental Webkit Features” iPad iOS 11.1.x

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Level 1

21 points

Please explain “Experimental Webkit Features” iPad iOS 11.1.x

Safari in iPad OS 11.1.2 question. View: Settings>Safari>Advanced>Experimental Features has 11 “Webkit Features” which may be turned on or off. Frankly, I don’t understand both any of these and their uses. For example, are any of them responsible for the failure of “Block all cookies” to block cookies?

In case these “Experimental Webkit Features” don’t appear on your iPad, here’s the list: Constant Properties, CSS display contents, CSS Spring Animations, Link Preload, Remove Legacy WebRTC API, Secure Contents API, SubresourceIntegrity, Viewport Fit, Web Animations, WebGPU and Async Frame Scrolling. Each of the above has an On-Off Slider.

So, any useful explainations or suggestions regarding the “features?

Thanks!

iPad Air Wi-Fi, Cellular, iOS 11.1.2

Posted on Dec 10, 2017 3:27 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Michael Black

Level 10

80,262 points

Dec 10, 2017 3:52 PM in response to Group6

I don’t know about the specific features but there is this - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204264

and this from imobie’s website Explain iOS 11 Safari Experimental Features and How to Use It. (You can easily find numerous other tech site or blog summaries of them with a simple internet search)

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Answer 2

Dec 10, 2017 4:41 PM in response to Group6

DoH! Sorry, my copy of the URL apparently did not flush the previous cached copy - it was supposed to be the dev doc on WebKit - https://developer.apple.com/documentation/webkit

I’m not sure about the cookies thing as I’ve never blocked all. Is it blocking some, or none at all?

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Answer 3

Group6 Author

Level 1

21 points

Dec 10, 2017 4:29 PM in response to Michael Black

Hi Michael,

The HT204264 takes me to “iCloud Photo Library works seamlessly with...” so it’s useless in this regard. The iMobie link directly addresses each of my questions in order! The options had me curfuffulled having added to my life, the universe and everything😉. I now have additional stuff to read, having fallen behind the curve.

It appears the Secure Contents API and SubresourceIntegrity may helpful in keeping malware out of my computer.

Any suggestions about the cookies thing? It appears to me Apple has created an all-or-nothing situation worthy of Microsoft.

Thanks for the help, Don

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Answer 4

Group6 Author

Level 1

21 points

Dec 10, 2017 5:13 PM in response to Michael Black

Here’s a better rundown: When upping my Mini an option offered to utilize cloud storage. Unwittingly, I selected “yes” which immediately wiped desired cookies from both the Mini and iPad. Because I hate cookies, believing them to be invasive (I’ll argue the point elsewhere), I would block them whenever possible and cull them before, sometimes during and after every Safari session when unable to block.

Since upping the operating systems and continuing to unblock only when necessary, selecting Block All results in a message informing me all cookies will be wiped if Block All remains selected. I hate feeling between “a rock and a hard place” while wanting to brouse around on the iPad. At least the Mini offers the choice of deleting everything Safari for the last hour or day. Can’t but wonder how long that’s going to last.

Finally, when trying to switch from store everything on the cloud to on-board storage, a message appears telling me EVERYTHING on the cloud will be wiped if continuing with my selection. Grrr

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