Apple Blocking Certain Browsers from iDisk Access
Apple Blocking Certain Browsers from iDisk Access
by , 1:40 PM EDT, June 16th, 2008
Accessing an iDisk, Apple's online storage system that's part of the .Mac service, isn't quite as easy as it used to be because the Cupertino company has begun limiting its Web browser requirements to Safari 1.3 and Firefox 1.0.4 and later. Unsupported Web browsers, which apparently include Firefox 3, simply display a page listing recommended browsers without an option to continue.
While Safari 3.1.1 and Firefox 2.0.0.14 are capable of displaying the contents of a public iDisk, Firefox 3 and OmniWeb were both blocked. OmniWeb, incidentally, is WebKit-based, just like Apple's Safari.
Unsurprisingly, Camino is still supported thanks to its shared foundation with Firefox. Opera 9.5 properly displays iDisk public pages as well.
 iDisk: Not all browsers are welcome. |
|---|
Windows users have a different set of Web browser requirements: Firefox 1.0.4 or later, and Internet Explorer 6 or later. Apple's own Safari for Windows isn't on the list.
The Web browser limits look to be imposed only on iDisk access since Apple's .Mac service still supports all browsers. Since the MobileMe domain currently routes to an information page on Apple's Web site, it's not yet clear which browsers will be compatible with the service when it launches.
Apple spent some time during the Steve Jobs keynote event at the company's World Wide Developer Conference on June 9 showing off some of what's in store for its .Mac service once it transitions to MobileMe early in July. MobileMe will include "push" services to keep user's calendars and contacts up to date on multiple devices (including the iPhone and iPod touch), and a Web-based application for updating iCal, Address Book and Outlook data online.
The behind the scenes work Apple has done to create a Web interface that looks and acts strikingly like a desktop application may have played into the decision to limit which browsers can access an iDisk. That move, however, goes in the opposite direction from the company's typically any-browser-compliant stance.
It's possible, too, that the limited browser option is in place while Apple works out last minute bugs before moving away from .Mac.
While the choice to limit browser options for iDisk access may be necessary -- at least for now -- to ensure that MobileMe works as advertised when it launches, the move may not sit well with users that have grown accustomed to using nearly any browser when taking advantage of Apple's online services.
Observer Comments
Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:28 pm Subject: While I guess that is only fair
I can not use Safari to log on to many free WiFi locations, I get caught in a loop of clicking on the TOS agreement. I have to use FireFox or Explorer (which I only have on the aged G3 iBook) and then I can log on and switch to Safari if I want. I think that it is some sort of Javascript problem, but I am not enough of a tech to know for sure.
So is Apple's decision based on technical limitations of older browsers?
Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:57 pm Subject: Much Ado About Nothing... If You Stopped to Think!
This article seems to be a bit unsure about what it's talking about. Is it talking about the existing .Mac iDisk? That would be the logical assumption based on the current screenshots. But then they throw in some FUD about the Mobile Me iDisk's web app, which is different.
It's obvious when you stop to think about it... the .Mac website is simply employing an outdated browser sniffer at the gateway to the iDisk web app. Why else would they allow Firefox 2, but not Firefox 3? It's probably just hard-coded to use certain UI Agent strings, and not being too flexible about the version numbers.
Now, does this mean that the new Mobile Me web app is going to have the same restrictions? If you think "yes," then I'll just put it bluntly: you're an idiot. The developers most likely just decided against updating the existing web app that's going to be replaced in a few weeks.
Please note that I'm not exactly defending Apple's decision to employ browser sniffing. And I also think it would be reasonable to expect Apple to properly maintain adequate access requirements to an app that's currently in use, no matter how soon it's going to be deprecated. However, it's absolutely ludicrous to think that Apple's going to employ the same restrictions on last year's web app in next year's app as well.
Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:01 am Subject: Does seem to be outdated browser sniffer
If you can change the User Agent for your browser (usually pretty easy), you can get around this. I tried iCab. It got in if I used the identity (User Agent) of Firefox 2. It did not if I chose some others, including Opera 9. One other thing: be sure to clear your cache after changing the User Agent if you have received the "unsupported browser" page.
That supports the guess that it's a browser sniffer. That's hardly unusual.
I was able to find out this in less than a minute. I would have expected the author to do a little personal research before posting the article.
Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.
Recent Headlines - Updated February 10th
- Fri, 12:52 PM
- Apple Stock Watch - Mizuho Securities Starts Apple Coverage with $635 Target
- 11:35 AM
- Hot Forum Topic - Forum Poll: Are You Planning on Buying a New iPad?
- 11:00 AM
- Analysis - Competitors Size up Apple’s iBooks Author
- 10:23 AM
- News - Apple Scores a Win in Motorola Patent Fight
- 9:10 AM
- News - Apple Highlights Siri in Two New iPhone 4S Ads
- 8:42 AM
- TMO Quick Tip - OS X Lion: Replacing the “Show/Hide” Button in Finder
- Thu, 7:56 PM
- News - Apple Store Graciously Receives Workers’ Rights Petitions
- 5:22 PM
- News - Chinese Apple Fan Makes Awesome Mac Costume
- 5:12 PM
- Mac Geek Gab Premium Podcast - MGG 380: Managing Your iTunes Library, iOS Time Zone, Syncing & More
- 3:52 PM
- Apple Stock Watch - Canaccord: Apple Claims 80% of Q4 Mobile Handset Profits
- 2:27 PM
- Deal Brothers - Mac Pro 2.66GHz 12-Core Intel Xeon: $4,249
- 1:07 PM
- Apple Stock Watch - Apple’s Stock Makes Run on $500
The Mac Observer Reader Specials
TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct
from Strider Software.
Mac RAM Upgrades: MacBook Pro 16GB kits $475, 8GB Kits for $119.99! iMac 16GB RAM Kits (4x 4GB) for $229.99! Mac Pro Memory 32GB Kit for $399.99, 64GB Kit for $889.99! Mac Hard Drives 2TB Seagate SATA II for $249.99! Click Here!
-
If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Online Poker Mac.
This mac poker and online casino mac site
actually does the unthinkable, it actually rewards! -
-
-
-
-
-
