Apple has revised the way it sends software updates to Windows PCs via its Software Update service in response to charges that it was sneaking its Safari Web browser onto users' desktops without their permission or knowledge. The latest version of the Software Update tool for Windows, version 2.1.0.110, now clearly lists software that can be downloaded via the service and groups the updates into those for applications already on the user's computer and updates for new software.
The new version of Software Update also gives users the ability to turn off the service.
In modifying Software Update, Apple was clearly responding to widespread criticism that the service downloaded Safari 3.1 onto users' systems surreptitiously. The company included the browser as a stealth update for users of the Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) Windows versions of its iTunes and QuickTime software. Mozilla CEO John Lilly likened the strategy to tactics used by hackers to insert malicious code into downloads.
"Apple has made it incredibly easy -- the default, even -- for users to install ride along software that they didn't ask for, and maybe didn't want," said Lilly, in a recent blog post. "This is wrong, and borders on malware distribution practices."
View: Full article @ informationweek
The new version of Software Update also gives users the ability to turn off the service.
In modifying Software Update, Apple was clearly responding to widespread criticism that the service downloaded Safari 3.1 onto users' systems surreptitiously. The company included the browser as a stealth update for users of the Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) Windows versions of its iTunes and QuickTime software. Mozilla CEO John Lilly likened the strategy to tactics used by hackers to insert malicious code into downloads.
"Apple has made it incredibly easy -- the default, even -- for users to install ride along software that they didn't ask for, and maybe didn't want," said Lilly, in a recent blog post. "This is wrong, and borders on malware distribution practices."
View: Full article @ informationweek
I'm glad they changed it
STILL? For shame...
Last edited by majortom1981 on 19 Apr 2008 - 13:27
Apple are not willing to let it be off by default, because they have a desire to enter the browser market on the Windows Platform. The problem is that they probably shouldn't be attempting this until they have allowed their product to mature on the Windows platform (Refine the Windows UI in particular and the general browsing experiance by means of features) because their attempts to switch users is failing and leaving lasting impressions on how bad Safari on Windows is, even if Safari is a good on the Mac.
I do believe that it was kind of a dirty trick though to have the boxes checked by default.
Like "Windows Genuine Advantage", eh?
Well, to be fair, you can sort of consider that an update to the licensing components of Windows, and not a new piece of software. (I hate it too, btw)
However, Apple should have made it unchecked by default so that you had to actively choose to install new software.
Come on Apple. I wish you wouldn't do crap like this.
Now, If Safari would have silently replaced the default handler for http and similar URI's.. That would have been even worse.
I would guess about half the users of IE use IE because it is the default and are ignorant of anything else on offer. About half of this group would not change the default options when updating Apple software, meaning less people will use IE in the future.
Is this such a bad thing? You only need to look at Acid 3 test results to find which browsers are more compliant, and which (IE) couldn't give a s***.
Also what infuriates me, is that while I have only Quicktime, I am always given the default option of installing iTunes on the updater.
Why can't they turn this off by default as well.
K
You say that like standards compliance is the only thing you should care about here.
Having an additional piece of software on your system, particularly one with Safari's wonderful track record on Windows, adds a potential security hole. Installing it by abusing the user's trust of the dialog is a malware practice, plain and simple.
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QFT!!!
Too true.
I think most Macusers on Neowin that have spoken don't agree with Apple on this issue. So please, theres no need to start bash users off any platform
Dead on. However, I don't think the general public is "retarded", I think the media is manipulated by Steve to pass off Apple as holier-than-thou and ignorant people will buy it because "it must be true". It's no different than any other media manipulation that our world is saturated with.
It is not a native app, and it's likely there will never be a native version.
Safari (on a Mac) is incredibly well done. Looks good, has excellent standards support, and is fast.
Apple pumps R&D money into Safari for the same reason it pumps R&D money into any project. It's all about the User Experience.
I can't speak for Apple software on Windows, however. It's really meant to shine on a Mac, in any case.
It is not a native app, and it's likely there will never be a native version.
Safari (on a Mac) is incredibly well done. Looks good, has excellent standards support, and is fast.
Apple pumps R&D money into Safari for the same reason it pumps R&D money into any project. It's all about the User Experience.
I can't speak for Apple software on Windows, however. It's really meant to shine on a Mac, in any case.
I think Safari on windows has all to do with the iphone/itunes tie up. At first the only way to get an app on the iphone was through a webapp and to promote development they prob thought it best to start exporting to safari as that was the most integrated.
Ha ha ha, what? It looks exactly the same as Safari with these miniscule differences:
-The 'home' button is hidden by default
-You can't change your search provider
-No Status bar
-The "Find" bar appears at the top of the browser not the bottom.
Those tiny differences make one browser look like "ass" and one "shine"? Perhaps Mozilla should have put a nice shiny Apple somewhere on the interface. Unfortunately it's speed doesn't make up for it's "User Experience" which is why Mozilla made Firefox available for Mac in the first place.
not to mention the installer ignores the check box for installing software updater.
Safari's still listed.
Safari's still ticked by default.
Safari's still never been installed on the PC.
Exactly what have Apple changed here? Nothing. It's still an opt-out.
How hard is this? Display only updates for the products you have installed & if you want to offer other software it should be unticked by default.
& that's not to mention other problems with the mandatory inclusion of Software Update.
"The latest version of the Software Update tool for Windows, version 2.1.0.110, now clearly lists software that can be downloaded via the service and groups the updates into those for applications already on the user's computer and updates for new software. The new version of Software Update also gives users the ability to turn off the service."
"The latest version of the Software Update tool for Windows, version 2.1.0.110, now clearly lists software that can be downloaded via the service and groups the updates into those for applications already on the user's computer and updates for new software. The new version of Software Update also gives users the ability to turn off the service."
I've seen a few shots now of how it "should" work now
Apple are taking advantage of the fact that most PC users are idiots (To put it bluntly).
I always check through my installations (not that thoroughly mind, but enough to make sure I don't have a shortcut placed in my quicklaunch or on my desktop.)
You can see why they did it, I don't think it quite qualifies as a malware practice, but it is irritating.
I always check through my installations (not that thoroughly mind, but enough to make sure I don't have a shortcut placed in my quicklaunch or on my desktop.)
You can see why they did it, I don't think it quite qualifies as a malware practice, but it is irritating.
The difference is that it's not an new installer that tries to install Safari, like it is when you see the Google, Yahoo! and other toolbars. It's an updater updating a non-existent component, which is not an upgrade at all, is it?
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