Comments on: Today, I Lose All Respect For Apple: Software “Updater” Installs Safari

By: Natasha

Natasha — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 02:20:25 +0000

Yep. And just look at iTunes being bundled with that useless QuickTime thing that you have to jump through twenty hoops to uninstall.

By: Elliot Lee

Elliot Lee — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:48:38 +0000

The sneaky thing is that it’s part of the Apple Software Updater *and* it is checked by default, thus making it look like an update to your existing software. There have been many very serious security vulnerabilities in Apple software, which, fortunately, have been patched and distributed by the Updater. Distributing new software automatically (with a pre-selected checkbox) via this mechanism is a betrayal of user trust.

By: David Sutoyo

David Sutoyo — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:43:21 +0000

In terms of CSS support, Safari really is superior to other browsers. That said, it’s true that Apple does have quite a few shady practices. For example, custom iPhone apps must be distributed via iTunes and Apple gets a cut of the proceeds. Furthermore, they can’t run in the background whereas “official” apps can. If this were Microsoft, we’d be hearing it loud and clear.

By: -

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 07:01:38 +0000

Oh boo hoo. There’s nothing sneaky about it, it shows exactly what it’s going to install, and requires user confirmation.

On top of that, Safari is a superior browser. Certainly superior to IE, and by most measurements, superior to Firefox (load speed, page layout, JavaScript speed, memory usage).

If it gets lots of IE users to switch to a better browser (whether that’s Safari or Firefox) then fine by me.