Apple's recent misadventures with loading its software onto users' machines without their knowledge has Microsoft partners grumbling about the existence of a double standard when it comes to how the marketplace views the two companies. Earlier this month, Steve Clayton, a Microsoft engineer, noticed that Apple had packaged MobileMe software in its most recent iTunes 7.7 update when a 'MobileMe Preferences' icon mysteriously appeared in his Windows control panel, even though he hadn't signed up for the service.In April, many Windows users complained that Apple was quietly loading its Safari Web browser onto their PCs without their permission through its Software Update service, as well as through the Windows versions of iTunes and Quicktime. The controversy caused Apple to alter the service to give users more visibility into what they're downloading. It's an old debate, but Microsoft partners feel it's more valid than ever in light of Apple's ongoing attempts to paint itself as a progressive purveyor of technological goodness, and Microsoft as a plodding, nerdy behemoth incapable of getting out of its own way.
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Apple should be held to the same standards as microsoft. To me they are being just like virus companies.
This double standard stuff has got to stop.
Last edited by majortom1981 on 29 Jul 2008 - 19:06
And no, not trying to be an ass, I just don't recall anything MS has put on my computer that I didn't specifically tell it to. What comes preloaded from the manufacturer or on Windows to begin with doesn't count either, as every OS comes with its share of software and... crap. There shouldn't be any extras that you didn't agree to when you install a program yourself.
Apple should visit www.windowslive.com
What annoys me is, this is a subscription-based service that got shoe-horned onto my system without so much as a peep that it was being installed. Also, I first mentioned this little nugget of info in the BPN post for iTunes 7.7. Old news.
By definition wouldnt this would make iTunes a trojan?
Why does Apple keep doing this - I haven't got an iPhone so why do I need the software for it!
EDIT: It doesn't, so you can uninstall it, but why should we have to!!
Seriously...
other 3G phonescratch that any OTHER phone can do (e.g. files over blue tooth). Apples equipment is just fashion accessories for people with little understanding of technology.People who buy iPods are sheeple.
People who buy iPods are sheeple.
Please.
I don't like Apple software at all, in fact, I think that they need to fire a large number of their developers, but the iPod Touch is a very nice machine.
Funny, usually in any article concerning Apple, you'll find Apple evangelists. They're strangely absent from this article. Only Windows fanboys and people who do not swear an oath to a particular platform are present.
We're not going to comment on everything all the time. Just not worth it.
We're not going to comment on everything all the time. Just not worth it.
And yet...you commented.
Honestly, what can be said about this? It's rather hard to defend Apple when they do crap like this.
We're not going to comment on everything all the time. Just not worth it.
I'm honored that the biggest Apple Fanboy of them all decided to respond to my comment! Wow!
In response: Why not? It certainly seems like Apple users have enough time to respond to other articles. Besides, I think you missed the nature behind the comment. I don't expect Apple users to say anything. Apple has done something wrong, and they know it. Unless you're extremely dense, you should see that the comment was written to point out the fact that Apple has done something so wrong, that even Apple fanboys won't defend it.
We're not going to comment on everything all the time. Just not worth it.
I'm honored that the biggest Apple Fanboy of them all decided to respond to my comment! Wow!
In response: Why not? It certainly seems like Apple users have enough time to respond to other articles. Besides, I think you missed the nature behind the comment. I don't expect Apple users to say anything. Apple has done something wrong, and they know it. Unless you're extremely dense, you should see that the comment was written to point out the fact that Apple has done something so wrong, that even Apple fanboys won't defend it.
OH SNAP!
We're not going to comment on everything all the time. Just not worth it.
surely if they are so fantastic it would be easy to comment on every poor Apple decision as their shouldnt be many?... unless there are infact many problems with Apple?
As for loading software on to peoples computers through another piece of softwares updater... disgusting. If I want to get MobileMe, I'll go and get it. If I don't want it, I won't.
NOT if I want MobileMe, I've already got it. If I don't want it, I have to uninstall it.
Opt *IN*, not opt *OUT* please.
I love the comments here.
I have to admit I'm very irritated by the Microsoft bashing comments by Mac fanboys. I really don't see why they have to do that.
I'm guilty of using an iPod (I won it in a contest I don't remember entering but anyhow, it was my award). However, I use foobar2000 as my daily music player. I only fire up iTunes when I need to sync music. I don't know if foobar has an iPod plugin yet. Can anyone help me? If I can sync foobar with my iPod, iTunes will immediately disappear from my PC. =P
I love the comments here.
I have to admit I'm very irritated by the Microsoft bashing comments by Mac fanboys. I really don't see why they have to do that.
I'm guilty of using an iPod (I won it in a contest I don't remember entering but anyhow, it was my award). However, I use foobar2000 as my daily music player. I only fire up iTunes when I need to sync music. I don't know if foobar has an iPod plugin yet. Can anyone help me? If I can sync foobar with my iPod, iTunes will immediately disappear from my PC. =P
foobar is nice. I'm not sure about ipod integration though, you'll be better off checking at the hydrogen audio forums for the latest situation. [the first topic is "iPod manager". Hopefully that will be of some use to you?]
Personally i use mediamonkey having previously used Foobar for years. There is no better PC player as far as i'm concerned. The sync options can be configured to do just about anything with just about any hardware. The only issue i have with MM is it's rather ugly appearance, however using a customized version of the WMP11 Skin it looks acceptable in vista. The sound output is on a par with foobar too
Last edited by ZombieFly on 30 Jul 2008 - 09:20
I love the comments here.
I have to admit I'm very irritated by the Microsoft bashing comments by Mac fanboys. I really don't see why they have to do that.
I'm guilty of using an iPod (I won it in a contest I don't remember entering but anyhow, it was my award). However, I use foobar2000 as my daily music player. I only fire up iTunes when I need to sync music. I don't know if foobar has an iPod plugin yet. Can anyone help me? If I can sync foobar with my iPod, iTunes will immediately disappear from my PC. =P
You can use J. River MEdia Jukebox, which is free and has iPod support. It updates very often to provide support for the ever-changing format versions of iPod databases that every new version of iTunes changes.
I use a modified versions of iTunes that doesn't include anything but iTunes itself (without bonjour and the autostart entries for iTunesHelper or iPodService) just to upgrade the firmware of my Nano 3G.
now how about EU looking into this?
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