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Apple pushing iTunes, QT users on Windows to download Safari

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

March 21, 2008, 12:10 PM

Apple has chosen to leverage its significant install base for QuickTime and iTunes in order to quickly gain market share for its Safari Web browser on Windows.

Along with iTunes or standalone QuickTime, Apple installs a small application, called Software Update. This looks very much like the program of the same name built into Mac OS X, and is used by Apple to push updates -- both security fixes and new versions -- to its products.

However, now it appears that the company is using Software Update to suggest that Windows users install Safari as well. iTunes users are reporting that even if they had not installed a previous version of Safari, an option to download the browser was selected by default.

"I didn't recall seeing an earlier version installed on the laptop. And I made no mistake: The Apple updater offered installation of new software, not something that had been there before," Microsoft Watch's Joe Wilcox reported.

The potential for quick gains in market share is great. With over 100 million iPods already sold, and the large majority of them to Windows users, even if only a small percentage begin using Safari, Apple's browser market share would likely rise several points.

Safari has a market share of about 5.7 percent, according to NetApplications. Even without any help from Software Update on Windows, this number is up a percentage point over last year.

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By lileoj

edited Mar 24, 2008 - 11:13 AM

I happen to like Safari but I dont like how some web pages have trouble being rendered on it so I will stick with IE. What I dont like whatsover is Apple putting on there installer checked off. They should put that its (Optional) just like that. Too many non-computer savey people get the impression that they need to select everything "just incase" and we all know thats incorrect. My fiance' did that and it was installed I was pissed and uninstalled it. Very simple stop bundling software.

Score: 0

By sumone

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 6:40 AM

And vice versa. If you want to try/use Safari, that bloated QuickTime and iTunes are selected in Apple Software Update.

Score: 0

By gchenry

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 5:42 AM

Smaller footprint when loaded.
Smaller footprint when a folder with 31 URL's is
opened.
Noticeably faster.
Slicker interface.
However I like Firefox (3.0b4)it has more promise. The biggest pain the a** is the lack of extension that will work with this version.
BTW you should try both before commenting.

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 10:50 AM

Less secure, as well. It took 3 months for Apple to release a patch for known system level access for Safari.

Score: 0

By psycros

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 1:16 AM

Safari has some interesting features, but the sheer blandness of the interface and some of its quirks turned me off in a hurry. The favorites were difficult to organize, it simply ignores some links, and it has trouble with menus on certain web sites that FF and IE display just fine (no idea if its ActiveX, Java or whatever thats involved).

Score: 0

By yourcat

edited Mar 22, 2008 - 6:15 PM

Yeah... they would do that, now, wouldn't they?

BLOATED BLOATware...

Score: 0

By God Dammit

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 7:17 PM

Safari is the second fastest web browser available next to Firefox.

Score: 0

By GS5

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 12:27 AM

You mean "Safari is the second fastest web browser available next to Firefox" on the Mac platform. Because on the Windows platform it's crap.

Score: 0

By yourcat

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 11:49 AM

and THAT's what I mean.

Score: 0

By God Dammit

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 2:54 PM

I was referring strictly to the Windows platform in my previous post. On my computer Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox 2.0.0.12 use just about the same amount of memory. Safari uses significantly more. It doesn't matter if I have a single web page open or if I have several tabs or windows open.

Score: 0

By mdotwills

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 12:03 AM

But it tops the list as most dangerous/unsafe!

Score: 0

By darkxiiindp

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 11:06 AM

You're right. Better use Opera, Firefox or even IE atm.

http://docs.info.apple.c...icle.html?artnum=307562

Apple just release a patch to fix 86 security bugs in their system. Safari has 13 bugs.

Score: 0

By yourcat

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 11:50 AM

goes to show that FF rules all!

You want a BAD browser, go try Konqueror in Linux.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Mar 24, 2008 - 11:24 AM

Off by One. :p

Score: 0

By Aires

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 7:27 AM

Now that's just too damn sneaky. If Safari was that good you wouldn't need people to do a stealth install. Shameful. [tsk]

Score: 0

By darkxiiindp

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 3:21 AM

Safari is the fastest browser in this world? I dunno if its right. But Im sure QT is the slowest 'media player' in this world.

Score: 0

By mdotwills

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 12:03 AM

lol it is too.

Score: 0

By God Dammit

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 2:56 PM

Other than Mac OS X, Apple doesn't make any high quality products.

Score: 0

By templar™

edited Mar 22, 2008 - 2:37 AM

Do you guys notice how much RAM all these Apple software take?

Not only that, it has many little applications running in the background even when none of their real software is running. And they have this habit of installing into the Quick Launch bar without asking for permission first.

Mega bloatware is what they are.

Among the major browsers that I've tried, Firefox 3 beta 4 is the most memory efficient. IE7 is a close second. While Safari... performs as any bloatware should.

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 11:26 PM

They never ask to install or take over all your extensions. Apple's business model after all is always "People are idiots". Sorry to say that, but you know it is true.

Score: 0

By Daddy_Spank

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 6:40 PM

Safari for Windows is over 18 megs.... that pretty much sais it all in my opinion. And now they are trying to push it as an "update"???!

Score: 0

By God Dammit

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 2:58 PM

That's no big deal. That would only take me less than 30 seconds to download. I do agree that it's a bad idea to use the auto update feature to advertise other software products though.

Score: 0

By andrewdownloader

edited Mar 21, 2008 - 5:12 PM

Works in both directions, I only installed Safari and QT, I chose not to install iTunes nor Apple Software Update but...Anyway we all know that Mr Jobs take decisions for us, so Apple Software Update was installed without my permission and it "sugests me" to instal iTunes as an Update...How I hate Apple !!

Score: 0

By skimore

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 4:46 PM

Cool.. We will BAN QT for all our corp machines now.. 80% of the time we have a machine running slow it was because of iTunes last year.. Now they get 3 apps install with QT. why not a few tool bars also.. (like anyone needs help searching the internet)

NO MORE TOOLBARS!!!!

Score: 0

By improvelence

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 3:50 AM

If you have toolbars it comes from morons downloading spyware and adware...not iTunes OR Quicktime. Also...what kind of vintage pieces of junk are you running at your "corp" for iTunes to actually have an effect on system performance?

I love when people drive an 80's hatchback and wonder why its not as fast as a rocket car.

Score: 0

By God Dammit

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 3:00 PM

iTunes is VERY slow, quite possibly the slowest program ever created. The average office PC probably would suffer from a significant slowdown from iTunes.

Score: 0

By GS5

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 2:09 PM

If M$ did this on their own Windows system with their own IE browser it would be raining lawsuits.

Why is nobody outraged about this? Oh, because it's Apple they can do anything with impunity.

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 8:34 PM

nice troll!

Score: 0

By yourcat

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 6:18 PM

He has a good point, and you know that yourcat is the one who hates both M$ and Apple...

Score: 0

By GS5

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 1:28 AM

I'm not trolling I'm just stating the facts. I'm not partial to to either company. I don't like M$' tactics anymore than the next guy. In fact M$ deserved 99% of all the anti trust and other lawsuits they got. But Apple does a lot of the same $h!t M$ does yet they never get called out on it.

Here's an example of something M$ could never ever get away with. Apple is in the computer business, music business and now the cell phone business and using iTunes software to corner the music market by "integrating" it into iPod's and iPhone's.

If that was M$ it would have faced thousands of lawsuits. And probably been broken up in 3 separate business. All I'm saying is that all companies should be held to the same standards.

All hail the mighty Steve Jobs:-)

Score: 0

By cool_guy

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 1:15 AM

Well he has a point...

Score: 0

By RadioPlayer

edited Mar 22, 2008 - 4:17 AM

Disagree... Microsoft actually is in all three of those businesses with the Windows OS, Windows Mobile, and the Zune and the Zune marketplace. Microsoft was sued for being a predatory monopoly... for forcing OEMs to add software that they didn't necessarily want to add. They were not sued for shrewd marketing and making products a majority of the buyers of certain devices (MP3 players) wanted and growing their business from that... rather for bullying people. Right?

Not sure how I feel about Apple pushing Safari 3.1 through updater... it does feel like a M$ move. But comparing the predatory monopolist to Apple doesn't really wash.

Score: 0

By God Dammit

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 3:06 PM

As long as companies like Apple exist Microsoft will never be a monopoly. The EU unjustly sued and fined Microsoft because they MIGHT become a monopoly based on their growing market share, not because they already were a monopoly. I would certainly prefer that Microsoft not become a monopoly, but fining a company for something that hasn't yet happened? That's ridiculous.

Score: 0

By thugbot

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 7:27 PM

Agreed Apple shouldn’t be allowed to install there crap like this. Bad enough being locked into iTunes with the iPod and all.

Score: 0

By dhjdhj

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 6:24 AM

Who forced you to buy an iPod?

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

edited Mar 27, 2008 - 2:38 AM

Don't you know, iPod is the best.

/Sarcastic Off

Score: 0

By Daddy_Spank

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 6:31 PM

I couldnt say it better myself. Am I the only one getting really disgusted with Apple??!

Score: 0

By Faustus

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 3:21 PM

They did do it on their own "Windows" and to be quite honest there was some anti trust action involved.

Score: 0

By God Dammit

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 3:18 PM

The original USA antitrust lawsuit againt Microsoft was strictly for bundling IE with Windows and nothing else. When the DOJ found that it was pointless to sue Microsoft for bundling IE with Windows they simply tried to find another reason to sue Microsoft because they didn't want to lose.

Score: 0

By forgie

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 2:07 PM

I remember when I had something that needed Quicktime so I tried to install it and found that I *had* to install iTunes in order to install Quicktime, what a joke. I ended up finding an alternative. I came across the same issue when I wanted to update my IPod firmware, have to install iTunes + Quicktime + whatever else Apple bloats the install package with. People want choices Apple. You don't give choices, you lose user base.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 8:00 PM

Nah, you have to install Quicktime when you install iTunes, but not the other way around.

Still crap though.

Score: 0

By auiotour

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 1:58 PM

Apple Makes only a few pieces of software to the masses, iTunes, Safari, and Quicktime. Safari is automatically selected just as if there was an update for iTunes of Quicktime. It's not like it saying you MUST install it. I clicked no and bam haven't seen it since. ANd for the talkprice guy Safari actually supports newer standards unlike IE6 which likes to support its own tags better then the web standards.

Score: 0

By orizng

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 6:09 PM

if everybody is pros like you, why do you think there are so many complains about people getting unwanted apps?

Face the fact, pros are small fraction of normal users.

Score: 0

By improvelence

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 3:53 AM

It takes a pro to click a checkbox? What are you on dude. If you dont read the installer options, you deserve whatever you get. I've been able to read since I was a young child...it doesnt take a "pro" to do that...what a joke.

Score: 0

By auiotour

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 1:26 AM

Creepy dude walks up to a child.

Would you like a piece of candy?

girl: no ty

Bit of common sense, while not everyone is a pro at computers they can decide do I want Safari. It even says it's a web browser. Also any of you take the time to see Apples Updated Says "latest software from Apple" not Latest Updates for only the programs you installed from Apple"

Score: 0

By orizng

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 8:42 AM

common sense..... I think you overestimate how smart, or patient people are.

Score: 0

By sr1030nx

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 3:45 PM

You seem to be forgetting that IE7 is the standard browser now, not IE6.
It does support standards somewhat better than IE6, although IE8 is what most people are waiting for.

Score: 0

By auiotour

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 1:24 AM

I placed IE6 in as a response. Not cause I forgot. Remind the person who started the crap about IE6.

Score: 0

By excelon2005

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 1:46 PM

Thanks for the notice. That's just another reason why I'm fleeing from iTunes and going to the Amazon MP3 store instead.

Score: 0

By improvelence

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 3:54 AM

Have fun with that....

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 1:26 PM

Great that I don't have Apple's crapware on my computer. I bet, once install, Safari will take over as default browser without asking any question.

Can they get sue for this?

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 7:58 PM

That's the one thing it rather pleasantly doesn't do.

It asks you and doesn't ignore what you tell it.

That's about the only up side of it, other than resizeable text areas.

Score: 0

By orizng

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 8:39 AM

and not to mention resizeable text area is a blatant copy of a 3 years old firefox extension.

Score: 0

By Faustus

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 1:31 PM

Na Sue is pretty picky about who she's with.

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

edited Mar 21, 2008 - 3:26 PM

In the Eastern District of Texas, Sue gets around.

Score: 0

By Faustus

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 1:06 PM

Its all part of Apples Master plan to one day update you computer to OSX without any previous notice.

Score: 0

By mdotwills

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 12:05 AM

lol and weren't Apple the ones who sued and slammed 'hacking' Leopard for PC?

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

edited Mar 21, 2008 - 12:48 PM

They are an almighty bunch of wankers over at Apple.

Fortunatley I uninstall the Apple Update software whenever it decides to install itself (you can't get iTunes or Quicktime to not install it - you can press the radio-button but it ignores you).

*Edit* Ooo, wanker doesn't get profanity filtered.

*Awaits the inevitable -1 score*

Score: 0

By davidlerner

edited Mar 21, 2008 - 12:44 PM

That is why I don't use apple products, because the company is just testing how far it can go. Honestly safari is like IE6, apple need to get with the program users don't need another program on there computer, especially if its crap.

The only reason its up, is because more people are buying macs.

www.talkprice.net

Score: 0

By Jstews Mole

edited Mar 21, 2008 - 12:30 PM

When I saw that come up on my apple software updater...I thought it was insane. I'm already in process of replacing my Ipod...and now I have even more reason to do so....

Score: 0

By gregmlr

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 12:37 PM

You do that, and then when the manufacturer no longer markets that player and you can't get any support DON'T come back here whining.

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 1:28 PM

What support does Apple give? After a year, extended warranty goes for $69/year, I pay that much for a 52" TV. Replacing battery w/o warranty is $69. For that price, people would think it's a car battery.

Score: 0

By auiotour

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 2:03 PM

Weird I just plugged my 10 GB 1st Generation ipod in, it has a software update. and still works with itunes! wow support after how many years later?

If you have ever had to do anything on the warranty side you will see your 52" tv is barely covered by it. Where Apple's covers the entire device regardless of defect that breaks (not counting user damaging it). If a main component dies on your tv EXCEPT the screen they cover it. Most warranties for TV's do not cover the screen.

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 2:19 PM

No sh1t if you burn your TV or crack the screen it's not under warranty. For one freaking time, Apple fanboy use your common sense. iPod is iPod no matter how many generation is it. If you haven't realize it, they add the bare minimum update and repackage it as a brand new item/generation. iPod and iTune sell as a package. If not because iTune, who sell DRM music that no other player can read, I doubt it iPod will get this big.

Ohh.. it's so weird, the TV I bought in the 80s still works when I plug it in the electricity outlet.

Score: 0

By auiotour

edited Mar 22, 2008 - 1:32 AM

VLC seems to play protected media by itunes... My Panasonic DVD players plays m4p nicely as well. Just rename to .m4a and it gives a s*** if its protected.

If a component in your screen causes it to go bad it's not covered. if your tv is an lcd tv and it has a few pixels in the outside area at purchase it's not covered! Not just case of leaving it on a still or smacking it with a hammer or other object to crack it. It doesn't even cover some manufacturer defects.

But do they still carry updates and accessory for your old 80s tv. Excluding audio/video accessory standards, ex rca, component, coaxial.

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 11:34 PM

You are an idiot. Apple must iTune works with all iPod, that's how they sell their music.

No body know wtf is VLC, not to mention people have to change an extension for a file. If you think people as smart as you sound, we can eliminate 90% of the computer problems out there.

Why not you said say have the acc format reencode to mp3 and it works on every player out there.

Score: 0

By improvelence

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 3:56 AM

Type sloooowly next time.

Score: 0

By davidlerner

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 12:47 PM

Can you say anything more stupid then that, just to give you a example there is the Zune. Unlike apple Microsoft updated the old zunes to the new interface.

Think before you talk.

www.talkprice.net

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 8:37 PM

they had to do something...the first gen was so bad...totally unusable. Of course, the second gen is just as bad. Probably why they are not selling.

Still never seen a Zune outside of a store.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Mar 24, 2008 - 9:49 AM

Still never seen a Zune outside of a store.

I've seen a whopping *three* iPhones outside of the store.

huh... I guess your logic is horribly flawed. (Like that's news to anyone....)

Score: 0

By SlapShot

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 9:58 PM

you have to leave your mom's basement to see one

Score: 0

By MetzenJSR

edited Mar 21, 2008 - 12:18 PM

You know, if Microsoft tried this kind of stunt, they'd be nailed! I can't believe the amount of crap people will put up with from Apple.

Score: 0

By mdotwills

posted Mar 23, 2008 - 12:07 AM

There is still a lot of trust towards Apple. It seems Microsoft has lost that trust ages ago and Apple is starting to follow suit...

Score: 0

By Daddy_Spank

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 6:41 PM

Yeah, just because they make products in white plastic, they can get away with just about anything these days....

Score: 0

By auiotour

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 2:00 PM

Yes because when Windows Updates run's it doesn't try to tell us to install new versions of Windows Media Player or New Versions of IE7. Oh yea if they only tried it.

Their update does no different then windows software it connects and lets you download the latest updates and software made by Apple (or Microsoft) that is free and directed to the masses).

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 3:03 PM

Wow, talking about missing the point, IE7 and Media Player 11 are enhancements to existing software.

Safari has nothing to do with existing software, now if safari was already installed then this would make sense, if its not already installed and its asking to install that's not right.

Also point out Itunes like to install mobile support everytime and is not required for use with the ipod.

So try again...

Score: 0

By auiotour

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 1:30 AM

I don't have media player installed so when it asks me for wmp11 is that not the same thing?

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Mar 22, 2008 - 7:23 AM

You can't uninstall windows media player...you can remove the shortcut but the program is still there.

So, its not the same thing as its an existing product.

Score: 0

By ibhotsauce

posted Mar 24, 2008 - 8:33 AM

Of course you can uninstall it, its listed in the add/remove list like any other program, and can be uninstalled like any other application.

Therefore, not an existing product.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Mar 24, 2008 - 9:47 AM

*yawn*

Uninstall for WMP simply removes shortcuts.

The program still remains.

This applies to the WMP that comes with Windows XP. Uninstalling later versions of WMP merely gets you back to the version that installs with XP. :)

The more you know...

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 12:48 PM

Agreed. Google, Sun, Adobe, all do it, although to a lesser extent.

The number of times I've seen the google toolbar, AIM toolbar, yahoo toolbar all installed because they were included with various products and people clicked through is amazing. People browsing with half their screens filled with useless toolbars. Computing is hilarious.

Score: 0

By ibhotsauce

posted Mar 21, 2008 - 12:15 PM

fat chance

Score: 0

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