Here we go again: Ed Bott points out how outrageous it is for Apple to install so-called “updates” to the iPhone Configuration Utility on a Windows computer that does not have this software installed, in fact one that has never had an iPhone or iPod connected to.
He is right, this is obviously not an update, but installing new, and in his case obviously unnecessarily software. It’s also not the first time, I wrote about a similar experience early last year:
- the same update program has been trying to install iTunes on a Windows machine where I don’t have it, don’t need it forever, despite unselecting it every single time
- the update runs because I do have Quicktime installed, and Quicktime itself is as aggressive as it gets, re-installing itself in the XP systray no matter how many times you remove it.
Back then I also wrote:
Apple fans are a religious cult who came in hordes to defend Holy Apple. (before you chastise me, just look at how often I point to Apple as a better choice, without becoming blindly faithful)
And boy, did I prove right on that .. Ed Bott barely finished his post, when the first Apple-defender appeared, accusing him of being just a bit to picky when it comes to Apple:
I’m sorry Ed but I think you’re getting a little carried away here. I have no problem with any software maker – operating system or otherwise – letting me know that updates are available.
Wow.. really? How about getting dozens (hundreds?) of software update proposals a day? there must be hudreds of thousands of software title out there, why not recommend all? Steven Hodson appears to have given his consent:
How is the utility suppose to get your consent if it doesn’t run in the first place. Perhaps the problem here is really one of wording. Would it make a difference Ed if it was called “Software Notification Service”?
No, it would not make a difference. An update is an update. To software already installed on my computer by choice. My choice, not some manufacturer’s. Anything else is unethical intrusion.
And before the Apple-camp declares was on me: I am not exactly a Microsoft-fanboy, in fact I will admit an anti-Microsoft bias for all the lost productivity due to their half-done software. The very un-scientific method of talking to friends suggests Apple owners are more satisfied with their computers, gadgets, software and the company as a whole. Here’s a telling quote from CrunchGear:
Apple could require you to give this device three drops of blood every morning in order to satisfy the demonic hell-beast soul trapped inside it and we would, gladly.
Wow. Well, give your blood if you like, but don’t be blind: abuse is abuse, no matter whether it comes from Redmond or Cupertino.
Related posts:
Me an Apple defender – that’s funny as hell since I’m a diehard Windows user 🙂
So love your monster Apple logo – good work! Its refreshing too to hear someone actually speak their mind about Apple as most don’t. What is it with the hallowed Apple territory?????? Anyways I noted this same thing as you mention the updater wanting to install all these other programs & Quicktime now being bundled with itunes which I have never & will never want on my pc. Could it be that Apple are worried about losing market share or something like that to resort to such aggressive update app? I used to be an Apple girl but surrendered to pressure 10years ago to pc due to compatibility with the rest of the business world???? All the time I was a mac girl I could never get any service (not good service I mean no service at all after purchase in Australia). Dell beats Apple in that respect a million times. Also I resented having to wait/queue for hours in Apple stores because they had minimum staff on duty & customers held no power just because they may purchase????? WTF Sorry it has been easier going the pc route & not because of Microsoft who should be blown out of the water soon due to their crap Vista OS. In Jungian psychology they say if you project all the evil onto ‘the other’ then you end up unconsciously becoming like ‘the other’ due to your lack of awareness. Need I say more???? Thanks this post was a relief to read Pemo Theodore, AstraMatch Blog
I uninstalled Apple QuickTime a month ago due to this kind of cr*p. I haven’t yet missed it. Bye bye Apple.
Now if only the Sun Java Updates wouldn’t ask to install a Yahoo Toolbar. Or something like that
Steven,
You are right, I should not lump you with the Apple fanboys … and I’ve linked to your writing way back in the Winextra days.
That said you do appear to defend Apple (or any software maker) to an extreme in this particular post…
I’ll address the ‘Apple’ issue tomorrow in a post along with one other thing I have been taken to task over in the past week. As for WinExtra it still lives and concentrates on Microsoft and Windows. Shooting at Bubbles is primarily for social media topics.