Apple Modifies Windows Software Updater After Safari Ruckus || The Mac Observer

You're viewing an article in TMO's historic archive vault. Here, we've preserved the comments and how the site looked along with the article. Use this link to view the article on our current site:
Apple Modifies Windows Software Updater After Safari Ruckus

Apple Modifies Windows Software Updater After Safari Ruckus

by , 1:15 PM EDT, April 18th, 2008

In March, it was noticed by Windows users that Apple was using the Apple Software Update program that installs with iTunes to promote the installation of Safari as well. That confused some users and drew criticism for being a deceptive practice. Now Apple has modified the Installer to version 2.1 that clearly displays the difference between updates and new software.

Many different Windows users had mixed feelings about the Apple practice first identified in March. Some considered it par for the course, aggressive by Apple, and because they perceived Safari to be a better browser than Internet Explorer, didn't mind. Others, however, saw this as a deceptive practice that could dupe users into installing something they didn't want.

Among those who were most vocal was John Lilly, the CEO of the Mozilla Group. At first, the move was seen as a blow to Mozilla's Firefox. Later, Mr. Lilly clarified that competition is good, but the particular technique Apple used "undermines the trust relationship great companies have with their customers," he wrote.

Now, Apple appears to have responded to the criticism by altering the layout of the Installer to identify software being updated and proposed new software.

Apple Software Update in Windows

After the update, which is managed by the updater itself, the version will show this::

On Thursday, the Mozilla Group noticed the change, but is still not satisfied with Apple's changes. Asa Dotzler, Mozilla's Director of Community Development wrote in his blog: "This is a good first step. Now Apple needs to stop checking the box for "New Software" items by default. With that change, I think I'd be pretty happy to let the Apple Software Update service back on my Windows machine."

On Friday, according to Computerworld, Apple spokesperson for Mac Hardware & Professional Applications Anuj Nayer said, "In this latest release we have made it easier for customers to identify between software updates and new applications." However, he declined to verify that the changes were in response to recent community criticisms.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments

Close Name:Small White Car Posts: 1960 Joined: 02 Jul 2004
Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:18 pm Subject:

This is excellent.

It's a great example of a time when complaining on the internet actually accomplished something positive.

I know, that's 1 vs. 1 million, but it's a start.

Reply | Quote

Close Name:Guest
Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:22 pm Subject:

"Deceptive practice" is being polite. After seeing this I removed the Apple Updater from my XP machine. And now I'm searching for something other than iTunes to manage my music and iPod.

Reply | Quote

Close Name:Sir Harry Flashman Posts: 792 Joined: 08 Feb 2007
Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:31 pm Subject: Alternatives

Quote
Guest wrote:
"Deceptive practice" is being polite. After seeing this I removed the Apple Updater from my XP machine. And now I'm searching for something other than iTunes to manage my music and iPod.

The iPod only works with iTunes

Reply | Quote

Close Name:Guest
Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:35 pm Subject:

quote: the iPod only works with iTunes.

really?
10 Alternatives to iTunes for managing your iPod
http://www.simplehelp.net/2007/07/08/10-alternatives-to-itunes-for-managing-your-ipod/

Reply | Quote

Close Name:Sir Harry Flashman Posts: 792 Joined: 08 Feb 2007
Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:45 pm Subject: Great go get one

Quote
Guest wrote:
quote: the iPod only works with iTunes.

really?
10 Alternatives to iTunes for managing your iPod
http://www.simplehelp.net/2007/07/08/10-alternatives-to-itunes-for-managing-your-ipod/

Then go get one of those products and stop whining

Reply | Quote

Close Name:Intruder - TMO Mac Specialist Posts: 3149 Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:19 pm Subject:

Quote
Anonymous wrote:
"Deceptive practice" is being polite. After seeing this I removed the Apple Updater from my XP machine. And now I'm searching for something other than iTunes to manage my music and iPod.

As opposed to just deselecting the app from the updater (which was a clearly defined option)?

While I disagree somewhat with what Apple did, it sure has generated a tremendous amount of bleating and whining.

Reply | Quote

Close Name:Guest
Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:51 pm Subject:

Quote
Intruder wrote:
Quote
Anonymous wrote:
"Deceptive practice" is being polite. After seeing this I removed the Apple Updater from my XP machine. And now I'm searching for something other than iTunes to manage my music and iPod.

As opposed to just deselecting the app from the updater (which was a clearly defined option)?

While I disagree somewhat with what Apple did, it sure has generated a tremendous amount of bleating and whining.

Yeah...a little over-the-top. He should be warned to also avoid Adobe products which seem to want to install Acrobat/Reader and, now, AIR. Oh, and just forget MS products - Windows installs a bunch of unrelated crapware and how long before every download from MS "encourages" you to sample Silverlight?

Reply | Quote

Close Name:Guest
Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:45 am Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
Quote
Intruder wrote:
Quote
Anonymous wrote:
&quot;Deceptive practice&quot; is being polite. After seeing this I removed the Apple Updater from my XP machine. And now I'm searching for something other than iTunes to manage my music and iPod.

As opposed to just deselecting the app from the updater (which was a clearly defined option)?

While I disagree somewhat with what Apple did, it sure has generated a tremendous amount of bleating and whining.

Yeah...a little over-the-top. He should be warned to also avoid Adobe products which seem to want to install Acrobat/Reader and, now, AIR. Oh, and just forget MS products - Windows installs a bunch of unrelated crapware and how long before every download from MS "encourages" you to sample Silverlight?

Ironically, Microsoft has for the longest time listed out and allowed you to deselect updates for installation. They make it easy for people who don't care, click the Express button. For people that want to review it, click the Custom button. In fact, Microsoft Update goes so far as to let you hide an update that you don't want to install so you will never have to go uncheck the box again. It's called customer focus, not everyone fits inside a white box. PC users just have a higher expectation of control over their machines, whereas Apple users think Jobs knows best and those who are extreme in their opinions will attack people asking for choice as "whiners".

Reply | Quote

Close Name:Intruder - TMO Mac Specialist Posts: 3149 Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:43 pm Subject:

Hate to break it to you, but the Mac updater allows the same options.

Nice try, though.

EDIT: The Windows version of the software updater probably also has an option to ignore selected updates. Try looking for that (it is usually under the update menu).

Reply | Quote

Close Name:Guest
Mon Apr 21, 2008 10:31 am Subject: not a huge deal

i didn't find it a huge deal before. there was a checkbox next to it. this just proves that too many people just click OK on every update they see w/o actually reading what is being updated.

unsafe and irresponsible.

Reply | Quote

Comment on this Article

Guest Posts Visible. Hide Them.
Back to top Page 1 of 1

You cannot edit your comments. You cannot delete your comments.

Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.

Recent Headlines - Updated November 8th

Sun, 11:59 AM: Mac Geek Gab Podcast - MGG 226: Magic Mouse, Apple Battery Secrets, Q&A
Sat, 7:58 PM: News - Apple TV 3.0.1 Update Fixes Missing Content Bug
Fri, 7:45 PM: Rumor - Taiwan Leak Shows Verizon UTMS/CDMA iPhone for Q3 2010
6:40 PM: News - iPhone Moves Into RadioShack
6:30 PM: News - Apple to Open Stunning Paris Apple Store in Le Louvre on Saturday
5:43 PM: Free on iTunes - Dictionary, Dictionary, Dictionary, And More
4:09 PM: John Martellaro's Blog - Particle Debris (week ending 11/6) Failure IS an Option
3:32 PM: Games - The Latest App Store Games: Gravity Sling, RocketBird, Ground Effect, Checkers!
2:25 PM: Games - Star Soccer 2010 for Mac Puts Gamers in Role of Up-and-Coming Player
2:15 PM: How-To - The Mysteries of Rosetta Housekeeping
1:33 PM: News - iPhone Game Developer Sued for Collecting User’s Cell Numbers
1:17 PM: Games - Warhammer Online Expands Trial Play Option

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

TypeStyler For Mac OS X is Now Shipping! Download The Free Fully Functional 60 Day Tryout at www.typestyler.com
RamJet Memory: Mac Pro 8-core 8GB Kit $199.99, 4GB Kits $109.99! Sale on MacBook and MacBook Pro 8GB kits $549.99! New MacBook DDR3 2GB for $49.99. iMac and Mac mini 4GB Kits for $79.99! 1TB SATA Hard Drives for $109.99! Click here
OWC: Mercury On-The-Go FW800+USB2 up to 1.0TB. Bus Powered, no external power supply needed. Macworld Editors Choice, CNET Very Good Starting from $99.97, 500GB $159.99. Click here
If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Full Tilt Poker for Mac. This Full Tilt Poker bonus code does the unthinkable, it actually rewards!
For the latest Apple products use Ciao, a price comparison website, to find laptops like MacBook Air. Then find the best prices on MP3 players and use our comparison tool to evaluate mobile phones like the Apple iPhone.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.