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March 21, 2008

windows

Apple: So you love iTunes on Windows? Wait till you see Safari.

Posted Mar. 21, ’08, 10:29 AM PT by Aayush Arya
Category | Windows

Safari poutIf you have iTunes and Apple Software Update installed on your Windows PC but don’t want anything to do with Safari, Apple’s web browser, you might want to look twice the next time Software Update chimes in and offers to do its job.

Apparently, Apple is so confident in the latest version of Safari (released on March 18) that they’ll stop at nothing to put it on your PC. Nothing. As a part of this grand plan, Software Update has been assigned the task of installing it on every Windows-based computer that has iTunes installed, whether or not an older version of Safari exists on it.

Users still do retain the right to decline the offer to “update,” but Apple is counting on the persuasion skills of Safari’s babyish pout (caught in the act in the picture above) to win you over. Sneaky, eh?

Our advice: If you’re still running Internet Explorer because it was there when you first booted up, it might better serve your interests if you accept Apple’s offer and give Safari a try. However, if you’ve already moved on to the greener pastures, like Firefox and Opera, feel free to give Apple the cold shoulder.


6 Comments

goobimama Author Profile Page said:

This is going to be interesting :)

I do think Safari for Windows has turned into a viable alternative. That 10053 bug has been said goodbye to (maybe cause I sent like a thousand of those bug reports) so now I can finally start recommending it to my windows using brethren.

March 21, 2008 3:33 PM
AdamC said:

I know about you my Firefox experience on my Macs is lousy, the longer I stay on with it the more bogged down it becomes.
if you think the extensions on Firefox are great, well i can live without them.
Safari has its bugs and shortcomings but I don't think you should give it the cold shoulder.
The webkit is interesting and fast.

March 21, 2008 8:31 PM
slappy said:

It's a good move, and the user has a choice to not install it if they wish. I feel that once they see how Safari renders web sites beautifully, they will continue to use it.

March 21, 2008 8:56 PM
Dave-O said:

I'm sure people will get pissed, but Apple probably decided that WebKit is loaded for iTunes anyway, might as well give them the Safari UI too.

March 22, 2008 3:56 PM
Jarro said:

And get this . . . if you install the Boot Camp drivers and haven't installed either iTunes or Safari or both, the Apple Update Software will gladly do it for you when you go to update.

Ain't dat sumfing!!

March 22, 2008 5:48 PM
Mac-Davey said:

At first, I agreed with many others thinking this kind of product pushing might just turn people off. After three different people commented on being shocked and delighted Safari was available for Windows, I guess Apple knows there's a sizable market share of ipod lovin' Windows users who apparently live under a rock. The vastly unconventional user interface (in a Windows context) must appeal to these guys. I'm not too sure why.

March 23, 2008 2:46 PM

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