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Apple Modifies Software Update for Windows

Friday April 18, 2008 1:38 pm PDT by Arnold Kim
CNet reports that Apple has responded to the criticism of pushing Safari to all Windows users via Software Update.

The practice received some criticism since the "update" appeared for individuals who had never installed a previous version of Safari. Apple has reportedly revamped their Software Update to clearly distinguish "New Software" from "Updates":


Image from Asa Dotzler

Safari now occupies a place in the "New Software" box, but continues to be offered to all Windows iTunes users. Even still, Mozilla's Asa Dotzler believes Apple should not leave the software checked by default.
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Eraserhead
50 months ago
The real question is that if you ignore Safari or another "new app" does the software update go away until there's a real update. Though I love Apple so much* that I have all their software on my windows side, so I guess I'll never know.

* this is a joke
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amoda
50 months ago
I have to agree with Asa. It's annoying and really just bad behaviour from Apple. If Microsoft was doing the same thing we'd be bashing them to oblivion.
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Sky Blue
50 months ago
Yeah, it should be checked off by default.
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Eraserhead
50 months ago

I have to agree with Asa. It's annoying and really just bad behaviour from Apple. If Microsoft was doing the same thing we'd be bashing them to oblivion.


Very true, we would. Though it depends how this works... If it doesn't bother you "just" for new software its OK IMO.
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nawk
50 months ago
"Even still, Mozilla's Asa Dotzler believes Apple should not leave the software checked off by default."

You mean

"Even still, Mozilla's Asa Dotzler believes Apple should leave the software checked off by default."
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clevin
50 months ago
Its really just reduce the untrust-ness by 5%.

IDK, apple really need to understand how sensitive windows users are towards this type of act. Eventually, it will generate backlash, not to mention, if users just click through all the update, and don't know they have safari installed, they won't use it anyway, why bother?
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Mac OS X Ocelot
50 months ago
There's a Software Update for Windows? If you're averse to Apple software, shouldn't you not have an app called Software Update by Apple? Is this news?
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Arcady
50 months ago
Adobe tries to sneak in Google Toolbar/Desktop every time I install Acrobat Reader on a system. This is the same thing... annoying.
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WildCowboy
50 months ago

You mean

"Even still, Mozilla's Asa Dotzler believes Apple should leave the software checked off by default."


Thanks...the use of the word "off" there is what I think is leading to confusion, so I've attempted to clarify things by removing it from the sentence.
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mzd
50 months ago

There's a Software Update for Windows? If you're averse to Apple software, shouldn't you not have an app called Software Update by Apple? Is this news?


apple software update gets installed with iTunes/Quicktime, which a lot of windows users use.

i agree, apple shouldn't push safari through iTunes updates. i think apple's software is good enough that users will come to it. i've always felt that was apple's philosophy. this goes against it and cheapens the experience, imo. it is better that they at least put it in a separate box, but still....
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