I also don't see the option to get rid of the ads. Unfortunately, it appears that I spoke too soon in a previous post, because the ads have also become quite unmanageable for me at the moment. Once the ad finishes playing, I hear Voiceover say that my boost is active. But then it seems to freeze, and any time I touch anywhere on the screen, the app store launches, presumably so that I can buy whatever game or app is being advertised in the ad that played. The problem is, there's no way to break this cycle once it starts. You need to exit the game, then relaunch it, and start fresh in order for that screen to disappear.
However, I am amazed at the improvements to the responsiveness to the game in general. Not only is it much easier and faster to swipe through menus now, the swipe up and down gestures work beautifully, so I can switch between production slots, both in the actual places where things are produced and in the city to sell them, with ease. Plus, being able to swipe down in the main screen to go to the estate was quite a nice touch, particularly when treasure chests are around. Although with the improvements in speed, this really isn't even an issue anymore. So all in all, I'd say this update was a success. I'd just like to figure out what's going on with the ads.
The glass is neither half empty nor half full. It's just holding half the amount it can potentially hold.