Apple pushing Safari downloads on Windows users
In an apparent bid to rapidly gain share of the online browser market dominated by rival Microsoft, Apple is leveraging its vast iTunes install base to recommend that Windows users also download and install the latest version of its Safari web browser.
To date, Apple has sold over 100 million iPods, the majority of which have gone to Windows users who subsequently must install the company's iTunes software for synching files between their PCs and the digital media players. As part of iTunes, Apple also installs its Software Update mechanism on the Windows-based machines to notify users of iTunes updates, in addition to updates to its QuickTime media software required for several iTunes functions.
It now appears that the Cupertino-based company aspires to use the advantage presented by the Software Update mechanism to muscle its way further up the browser charts at the expense Microsoft's Internet Explorer and other third-party Windows browsers.
"Earlier today, Apple released the Safari 3.1 Web browser for Mac OS and Windows XP/Vista. A couple hours later, Apple Software Update popped up on my daughter's Sony VAIO, offering Safari 3.1 for download," noted Microsoft Watch's Joe Wilcox. "I didn't recall seeing an earlier version installed on the laptop. And I made no mistake: The Apple updater offered installation of new software, not something that had been there before. Whoa."
Windows users receiving the notification are greeted with Apple's marketing pitch alongside the download option, which reads: "Safari for Windows is the fastest and easiest-to-use web browser for the PC. It displays web pages faster than any other browser and is filled with innovative features -- all delivered in an efficient and elegant user interface."
In a statement released Monday alongside the release of Safari 3.1, Apple said the browser loads web pages 1.9 times faster than the current version of Internet Explorer and 1.7 times faster than Firefox 2.0. But when it comes to install base, Safari is world's behind.
According to NetApplications, the Apple browser maintains an approximate 5.7 percent share of the market, a distant third to the well established presences of both FireFox and Internet Explorer, which hold a 17.2 percent and 74.8 percent share, respectively. But like FireFox, Safari is slowly eating away at Internet Explorer's commanding lead. Its share has risen nearly a full percentage point over the past twelve months, while the Microsoft browser has shed about 5 percent of its share.
Meanwhile, Apple is also contending on a second front in its charge towards supremacy in the browser market, to which it has witnessed more immediate success. Its iPhone and iPod touch -- both of which ship with a mobile version of Safari -- have served to springboard the company to the top of the US mobile browser rankings in a mere eight months, according a recent report from Ireland-based StatCounter.
But Wilcox, who credits Apple with wisely leveraging its resources to infiltrate Microsoft's territory, questions how well the fledging Safari browser will hold up amongst a PC world proliferated by trojans, viruses and other rogue tactics that threaten to disrupt the stability of Windows systems.
"Safari is fairly new to Windows and has yet to really show that it has can muster the security to withstand the associated attacks," he wrote. "Mac OS X is a quaint neighborhood where little Safari was safe. By comparison, Windows is a gang-ridden ghetto: life is survival, and it's tough going."
To date, Apple has sold over 100 million iPods, the majority of which have gone to Windows users who subsequently must install the company's iTunes software for synching files between their PCs and the digital media players. As part of iTunes, Apple also installs its Software Update mechanism on the Windows-based machines to notify users of iTunes updates, in addition to updates to its QuickTime media software required for several iTunes functions.
It now appears that the Cupertino-based company aspires to use the advantage presented by the Software Update mechanism to muscle its way further up the browser charts at the expense Microsoft's Internet Explorer and other third-party Windows browsers.
"Earlier today, Apple released the Safari 3.1 Web browser for Mac OS and Windows XP/Vista. A couple hours later, Apple Software Update popped up on my daughter's Sony VAIO, offering Safari 3.1 for download," noted Microsoft Watch's Joe Wilcox. "I didn't recall seeing an earlier version installed on the laptop. And I made no mistake: The Apple updater offered installation of new software, not something that had been there before. Whoa."
Windows users receiving the notification are greeted with Apple's marketing pitch alongside the download option, which reads: "Safari for Windows is the fastest and easiest-to-use web browser for the PC. It displays web pages faster than any other browser and is filled with innovative features -- all delivered in an efficient and elegant user interface."
In a statement released Monday alongside the release of Safari 3.1, Apple said the browser loads web pages 1.9 times faster than the current version of Internet Explorer and 1.7 times faster than Firefox 2.0. But when it comes to install base, Safari is world's behind.
According to NetApplications, the Apple browser maintains an approximate 5.7 percent share of the market, a distant third to the well established presences of both FireFox and Internet Explorer, which hold a 17.2 percent and 74.8 percent share, respectively. But like FireFox, Safari is slowly eating away at Internet Explorer's commanding lead. Its share has risen nearly a full percentage point over the past twelve months, while the Microsoft browser has shed about 5 percent of its share.
Meanwhile, Apple is also contending on a second front in its charge towards supremacy in the browser market, to which it has witnessed more immediate success. Its iPhone and iPod touch -- both of which ship with a mobile version of Safari -- have served to springboard the company to the top of the US mobile browser rankings in a mere eight months, according a recent report from Ireland-based StatCounter.
But Wilcox, who credits Apple with wisely leveraging its resources to infiltrate Microsoft's territory, questions how well the fledging Safari browser will hold up amongst a PC world proliferated by trojans, viruses and other rogue tactics that threaten to disrupt the stability of Windows systems.
"Safari is fairly new to Windows and has yet to really show that it has can muster the security to withstand the associated attacks," he wrote. "Mac OS X is a quaint neighborhood where little Safari was safe. By comparison, Windows is a gang-ridden ghetto: life is survival, and it's tough going."
Comments
[QUOTE=AppleInsider;1231876]In an apparent bid to rapidly gain share of the online browser market dominated by rival Microsoft, Apple is leveraging its vast iTunes install base to recommend that Windows users also download and install the latest version of its Safari web browser.
...I'd install Firefox, not Safari. Not yet, anyway.
Whys that?
Also, Gruber mentioned this as "interesting", yet to me it seems obvious.
It is pretty annoying as I have to write my messages in Pages and copy paste them to Gmail.
I haven't lost my mind just yet
...Microsoft Watch's Joe Wilcox. "I didn't recall seeing an earlier version installed on the laptop. And I made no mistake: The Apple updater offered installation of new software, not something that had been there before. Whoa."
But Wilcox, who credits Apple with wisely leveraging its resources to infiltrate Microsoft's territory, questions how well the fledging Safari browser will hold up amongst a PC world proliferated by trojans, viruses and other rogue tactics that threaten to disrupt the stability of Windows systems.
"Safari is fairly new to Windows and has yet to really show that it has can muster the security to withstand the associated attacks," he wrote. "Mac OS X is a quaint neighborhood where little Safari was safe. By comparison, Windows is a gang-ridden ghetto: life is survival, and it's tough going."
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
With phrases like...
"a PC world proliferated by trojans, viruses and other rogue tactics that threaten to disrupt the stability of Windows systems."
"the security to withstand the associated attacks"
"Windows is a gang-ridden ghetto: life is survival, and it's tough going."
WOW! Makes me want to go out right away and buy a MS Windows PC!
Had Safari beta on a work computer for testing reasons. Last week apple's software update "handily" installed iTunes and Quicktime on it as well, when they hadn't been previously installed.
"Mac OS X is a quaint neighborhood where little Safari was safe. By comparison, Windows is a gang-ridden ghetto: life is survival, and it's tough going."
I love this quote because it's so true! Where Windows is the "gang-ridden Ghetto", IE represents the crackheads and meth dealers.
Would any right-minded Apple owner use a Mac version of IE? I HIGHLY doubt it! The reality is that once you go Mac, you never go back. IE is not the only problem with PC's.
After having owned a MacBook for a while, and using XP at work, I was recently asked to fix a friends laptop running Vista. The OS is somewhat counter-intuitive and messy, analogous to the city government trying to "clean up the streets". I was shocked to see that even the basic functionality of the system tools were changed from XP to Vista.
Anyways.........
At first I felt the same way with Firefox on Mac - the look and feel just didn't sit easy with me. The way Firefox displays things like text areas and radio buttons in web pages still makes me feel its not a comfortable fit (I do use FF a lot, but prefer Safari).
Saw this yesterday. While I can't blame them for trying to leverage their trojan horse, I don't like this kind of sneaky install at all. It does tell you what it's going to do, but for most users, a little more explanation is necessary for them to know what is happening.
While I support your thought, I am at a slight loss as to what information the normal user should see. I went back to the article and looked at the graphic that was posted and it appeared to me for the most part to be strait forward but I do spend allot of time on them.
I love this quote because it's so true! Where Windows is the "gang-ridden Ghetto"
Best quote of the month, thus far, in my opinion =P
We had to include it, heh.
K
I'm with MDCat... I'd install Firefox.... I tried to make safari work out for me ... but it just didn't. Especially on eBay... holy crap. I almost wrote a hate note based on that one. If you notice, in their latest refresh of safari they have fixed, "picture rendering on auction websites" or something along those lines. Too late. I already switched and haven't had a hiccup with Firefox. Also a lot of secure sites don't support Safari... like when I go to check my Discover Card statement online or when I go to renew my FAFSA online. Besides all that, it crashed like it was its job. I just couldn't deal with a sub-par browser for a lifestyle that revolves around the internet. I know I'll probably get a lot of hate for this post, but this is just my honest experience with Safari. I still love Apple and think the world of them. Safari, however... I'm gonna wait a long time before reconsidering.
Just to clarify, is the gist of your message that the beta version of Safari for Windows had some bugs, while you expected the beta to be release quality?
Once PC people try Safari, Internet Explorer will be history in months. For me there is nothing like Safari: easy to use, fast and a pleasure to use.
There is no way that Safari is ever going to become popular on Windows. It's okay on the Mac, but the user interface feels nothing like any other Windows app and it just feels totally out of place on Windows.
This tactic of installing it via Software Update is more aggressive and sneakier than anything we've ever seen by Microsoft. It's essentially a virus when distributed this way. Boo Apple!
Maybe Apple's idea is to get Windows users used to the Mac interface, the easier to make it for them to switch to a Mac!
This tactic of installing it via Software Update is more aggressive and sneakier than anything we've ever seen by Microsoft.
You can't possibly be serious... as if Microsoft has never aggressively and sneakily pushed anything out through Windows Update? Wow.
And then there is the aesthetics of Safari in Windows -- "One of these things is not like the other things."