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Apple's Tussle with Mozilla Explored
by , 2:15 PM EDT, March 25th, 2008
Apple's decision to offer the Safari Web browser to Windows users, via the iTunes Updater, could hit Mozilla's Firefox hard, according to one solution provider.
Apple's controversial decision to offer Safari within the iTunes updater has a lot of people talking, including the Mozilla Group. Mozilla CEO John Lilly recently said in his blog that Apple's tactics are wrong. Subseqently he explained that there's nothing wrong with competition; rather it's about clarity when it comes to presenting users with update options that turn out to be new software.
One solution provider, according to ChannelWeb, has weighed in on the Apple move. "This could be a fairly substantial blow to Mozilla's Firefox," said Tyler Dikman, CEO of Cooltronics in Tampa, Florida. "Even if Safari gets 10 percent share on PC browsers that's pretty significant. I don't think it will put anyone out of business, but it sends a serious wake up call that Firefox isn't the only browser that's different. It shows that there is another player in the game and a lot of money to be made in the browser business."
With Firefox growing in polularity on the Windows platform, Apple may have surmised that this is a good time to get in on the trend away from Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
Mr. Dikman went on to explore Apple's prospects. "Apple is winning a lot of small battles and these small battles add up," he said. "If people use an Apple browser for music they may dive in and buy a Mac computer. I think that Apple is realizing that by diversifying into so many areas they will eventually be able to take over the standard PC computing world. I don't think it will happen tomorrow or next year, but a lot of my clients are starting to ask for Macs."
Some writers have said that because Safari is a superior browser, there's nothing wrong with what Apple is doing, but that's not the issue according to others. How this all plays out with Windows customers themselves is still being explored.
Observer Comments
Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:01 pm Subject: They handled it wrong
The check box should not have been checked by default. Instead Apple could have outlined the advantages of Safari over Explorer, yes there are many, but just the highlights would suffice.
Explain that they can use multiple browsers and even compare them side by side, that they do have choices.
Explain that they can easily adjust the type size and reset it to normal.
Then explain that a user can easily remove Safari if they are not happy with it.
Even PC Magazine recently said that Safari is a worthy browser. At the very least Safari complies with web standards, something that seriously lacking in Explorer.
Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:25 pm Subject: Pronunciation of Tyler Dikman's name
Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:10 am Subject: there's a war going on here . . .
. . . and Microsoft has the overwhelming advantage.
There's no check box at all for Internet Explorer, let alone one defaulted to "yes". Apple points out - by having a checkbox - that you have a choice, and reminds - by having it pre-checked, that not making a choice is also a choice.
It's a very mild imposition on people who are, by definition, active users of free software provided by Apple (iTunes, Quicktime).
Many people spend over 90% of their computer time in the browser, using it for email too. If Apple can get Safari in front of PC owners, switching to Mac will be a decision they can easily make on the spot in the Apple Store, next time they are replacing their PC.
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