Gavin’s Technology Weblog

Apple: Kettle calling pot black - Safari bundled with iTunes

Apple bundling Safari with iTunes 

When you download Apples iTunes it comes with the Apple “Updater”.  Ive put the key word in quotes.  Yup, UPDATER.  I wanted iTunes, I dont want Safari (Apples Browser).  It’s a strange move for Apple, especially when I cast my mind back to the first antitrust cases against Microsoft for the bundling of Internet Explorer with Windows operating systems.  Back then, and still today, the arguement is about allowing customers to have a choice.  I decided to download and install iTunes.  I want to know about “Updates” for iTunes.  Since I did not decide to download Safari, I dont want to be constantly reminded about Safari … especially when its pitched as an update.  I wonder how many people downloaded and installed Safair without knowing what it actually does.

What surprises me more is the number of posts that suggest its okay for Apple to distribute their browser as an “update” mainly because people see it as a great way to sock it to Microsoft.  I’m wondering if there are two sets of rules out there.  One for Microsoft and one for everyone else.  You can’t complain about the lack of choice for consumers and then disguise one product as an update for another.  Apples distribution is not the same as Windows update.  Windows update points out that there are optional installations available … it doesnt push a new product as an update for another.  And to me, this is the simple issue.  Apple could surely present Safari as an option, or a new product via Apple Update.  Don’t try and slide it onto an Windows OS and set it as the default browser. 

A good bulk of users out there dont know any better and simply click OK, I Agree, Yes and Conitinue without ever knowing what the hell has just happened … is that the way Apple wants to pitch its products?  Surely they should be pushing them by merit and how “cool” the product is .. after all, its what makes Apple so different from everything else out there.