Block Ads in Android Apps

[ndno]

EDIT: You don't need my instructions below unless you want to experiment. manekineko says is simpler just to download AdFree from the Market.


OK, I just tested this out and it works. Basically, listed below are the instructions to block ads from showing up in Android Apps (usually the free ones from the market). I found this trick by searching through Google.

This modification blocks advertisements from being displayed on your phone as well as statistics data that may be collected by websites you visit. These statistics can include your location, browser type, device type, how long you’re on a web page, and more. This mod blocks that info from being sent as well. Enjoy your ad-free Android phone.

So here are the instructions. This assumes you know how to edit the conf/froyo.user.conf file. For illustration purpose, I assume your Android files (zImage, rootfs.img, system.ext2, startup.txt, etc) are located in the "andboot" directory on your SD card (if not, adjust the instructions below accordingly):

1. Download the attachment (hosts.zip) and extract it. The extracted file is "hosts"; copy it to your "andboot" directory on your SD card.
2. Edit the froyo.conf.user file located in your andboot/conf directory and add the following line to the custom_shells section at the end:
   

   mount --bind /sdcard/andboot/hosts /system/etc/hosts

3. Save froyo.conf.user
4. That's it! When you boot into Android, the ads should be blocked.

NOTE: I don't know of any bad side effects as I just started testing for a couple hours. I hope this prevents wasted data communication bandwidth used to download unwanted ads.

EDIT: I have tested this on the FRX04 and Tiad8's BLAZN builds.
Hope you enjoy this "early" easter egg.