Last month, Apple pushed Safari 3.1 out to Windows users via an iTunes update with ambiguous language and installation options. The response was not pretty. Like many other users, I was bothered by the practice (and made it clear during that week's talkcast) and hoped Apple would do a better job to differentiate between updates and new or additional software in the future.Well, it appears that Apple has listened to the feedback an adjusted the way Software Update notifies Windows users or new software. Now, instead of just showing optional software in the same column as updates, Apple has added a seconded column labeled "New Software" (see below).
The updated Apple Software Update Screen
Note that the software is still automatically checked (boo!), but this is much, much better than the previous method.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-18-2008 @ 2:41PM
Ian said...
This is a promising step! Now once they add an option to not have the new software automatically checked, I will re-enable the updater on all of the Windows machines I deal with.
Reply
4-18-2008 @ 2:51PM
gerdozain said...
Stop crying!!!
That check box is checked by default on apple computers as well.
Reply
4-18-2008 @ 3:00PM
Hawke said...
This step is worthless - it doesn't solve the underlying issue of people installing things on their system they don't want. Uncheck that box and I'll be happy...
Reply
4-18-2008 @ 4:28PM
oZ said...
You don't read your screen before clicking OK on things? Are you retarded or just lazy?
4-18-2008 @ 3:00PM
joey said...
I still have issues with a 3rd party software update program advertising other software that they make. A software updater should just be that, to update software.
If a developer wants others to know about additional software they make then they should spend money on advertising, be it traditional media outlets or online ads to get the word out.
Reply
4-18-2008 @ 3:38PM
Frank said...
The question i have is this.
If iTunes and Quicktime are up to date and I deselected the Safari update when I did the updates for iTunes, will the updater still keep popping up every day to tell me that Safari is available - or will it just notify me when there are are actual updates for the software I have installed?
Reply
4-18-2008 @ 5:02PM
Tired_ said...
No. Only every time Apple updates the Software Updater (like now) will it re-pop up checked. This is a pain. I usually read things before I click, but it's silly to have to keep opting out like this.
4-18-2008 @ 5:00PM
Skylar Cantu said...
They still have more work to do. Screenshot:
http://www.skylarcantu.com/images/ScreenShots/WhichDescription.jpg
Reply
4-18-2008 @ 5:22PM
Matt said...
I doubt the "column" has been "seconded". Maybe you meant that another row had been added, or even that an entirely new table has been introduced?
Reply
4-18-2008 @ 5:31PM
Josh said...
I don't know why but it really bugs me that everyone calls the Update software in question 'iTunes Updates'
It is NOT iTunes updates!!! It very clearly states in the window title it is Apple Software Update.
It is not related to or related to iTunes at all! It is a stand alone app that updates ALL Apple software. Yes, I know it can (is by default) installed with iTunes but it is also part of the Quicktime install for Windows. And in both cases can be
Please stop saying, "part of an iTunes update." It's not part of any iTunes anything.... When you get a new Security Update on your Mac do you call that an iTunes update??
Reply
4-18-2008 @ 6:14PM
David Chartier said...
If Apple insists on using a software *update* application to *install new software not already on the PC,* I still think it's wrong to leave that software automatically checked.
It should be unchecked by default.
Mac users would be making the same complaints if Aperture and Final Cut Studio—two applications not installed on Macs by default—were automatically downloaded and installed when using Software Update to install a simple security fix.
Reply
4-18-2008 @ 11:01PM
Unregistered said...
coming from a windows work environment, i am used to having deselect pre-selected options that offer install other software while installing software from Microsoft and other vendors.
eg, while running Java installer, IE7 installer etc.
I guess Apple is just doing that everyone else seems to be doing.
Reply
4-19-2008 @ 5:10AM
Charles Frost said...
Have u ever done the MSN Messenger installs or some of those douchey toolbar thingies? What about IE8?
Apple is only adjusting to the Windows defaults. Stop whining about it. And hey, they even change back, when people say it sucks. Who else does that? Have u seen MS reverting Vista into XP yet? Ok, bad example... that might actually come.
Reply
4-19-2008 @ 6:32AM
Dan Oblak - MacBigot.com said...
I don't see what the big deal here is... unless the whole point is simply to 'sell papers'. Here's why I think Apple is closely (even if badly) following industry-accepted practices:
1) When Internet Explorer 7.x hit the streets, Microsoft included it in among both 'recommended' and 'critical' updates -- you had to uncheck it to avoid getting it (which we all did for a while, since 7.x screwed up a bunch of internal Oracle apps).
2) In many installers (the list is long), the Google toolbar is included as a freebie -- and the box for that is already checked. In this case, no one makes is difficult to uncheck that choice -- but the default is to include it.
3) Apple's own practice, to include iTunes along with an update to QuickTime, has been long-standing and not (for a long time) criticized as a sneaky behavior.
That said, if Apple had been clearer about the inclusion of Safari in Software Update, they might not be suffering the PR black eye they are now -- but I don't see what they did as any more presumptuous than what Microsoft, Adobe, and Google have set as standard behaviors.
Reply