March 21, 2008 5:48 AM PDT

Apple pushes Safari on Windows via iTunes updater

Apple has started offering Windows users its Safari 3.1 Web browser through the same online updater it utilizes for iTunes and the QuickTime video player.

With the release of Safari 3.1 on Tuesday, Apple started giving Windows users the option of downloading Safari via the Apple Software Update pop-up.

"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," states Apple's message in the pop-up screen.

The move is a more aggressive play by Apple to snatch browser market share from Microsoft.

In February, Microsoft's Internet Explorer had a 74.9 percent share of the browser market in terms of usage, while Firefox had 17.3 percent, and Safari had 5.7 percent, according to figures from Net Applications, which measures Web traffic and market share.

Care for some Safari with your iTunes?

(Credit: Apple)

Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet notes that when Apple CEO Steve Jobs first unveiled Safari for Windows last June, he said that the main way Apple planned to get Safari on Windows is through its Software Update program.

"Jobs said that Apple plans to use iTunes as a distribution vehicle for Safari for Windows. He noted that there are a million downloads of iTunes a day, with 500 million of those going to Windows machines."

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 143 comments (Page 1 of 5)
Bold move
by gopnick March 21, 2008 6:19 AM PDT
Apple is feeling gutsy, especially since Microsoft could stop Office development at any time and virtually stagnate Apple's laptop and desktop sales. Is Apple becoming more of a software company?
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If Microsoft did this....
by Jonathan March 21, 2008 6:21 AM PDT
Everyone would be screaming bloody murder...but its Apple so it's OK.
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Itunes Updater for Windows
by jrgraff March 21, 2008 6:22 AM PDT
I run XP via Fusion on my Mac and really don't need Itunes installed on both Mac and Windows partitions. It sure would be nice to stop getting requests to install Itunes + Quicktime and now Safari when running Windows. Anyone know how to do this?
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What's Apple's motive here?
by henebry March 21, 2008 6:32 AM PDT
I guess I don't understand how makers of free apps hope to make money. What's Apple's motive? I see why they made Safari for OS X: they needed a decent browser and didn't want to depend on MS Explorer for Mac. But now that Firefox is going strong in the windows world, what's the advantage for Apple in driving up Safari's browser share?
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Bad taste in my mouth
by PortVista March 21, 2008 6:39 AM PDT
This is what gives me a bad taste in my mouth about Apple. I never liked how it tries to install Quicktime with everything, and now Safari? And doesn't Apples try to install toolbars too? VERY BAD APPLE! GO TO YOUR ROOM!
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Don't care much for it
by Dead Soulman March 21, 2008 6:44 AM PDT
I have installed on my XP system and don't use it other than to check the websites we designed for our clients. Other than that, it stays dormant. Same thing with Opera and Internet Explorer. Other than that, I use Firefox.
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I don't like that they snuck that in there
by jamie.p.walsh March 21, 2008 7:06 AM PDT
I was surprised to see an icon for safari on my desktop and nearly screamed at my mother-in-law for installing something on my pc after letting her check her email the other night. I paused, and then realized I just did an iTunes update the other day, and combined with the fact that she has no idea what safari is, I knew it wasn't her. Thanks Apple, you nearly caused a rift in my family!!!!
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Uninstall Apple Software Update
by rcardona2k March 21, 2008 7:22 AM PDT
Just uninstall Apple Software Update and/or iTunes from your XP system. That's where the notices are coming from.
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Let's Say Microsoft did something like this..
by delf76 March 21, 2008 7:23 AM PDT
OK.. follow me with this scenario. Let's say hypothecically speaking, Microsoft was the one that made the Ipod and marketed Itunes. The Itunes software is installed on a Mac and Microsoft decided "Hey, let's push Internet Explorer to all Macintoshes". People would HATE this idea. But, I guess since Apple is doing it, it's ok... Whatever. I really hate it when companies have a core product, and then on the next update, instead of just updating the core product, they push other crap onto the PC. Personally, i think this is a bad move for Apple.
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It is sneaky. But Safari is faster.
by mudmanmike March 21, 2008 7:25 AM PDT
Other than my Iphone I have never owned an apple product. I Declined installing Safari when I was prompted by Itunes, but I then looked at the news articles on the subject. I decided to try it and they are right. Pages definately load faster! I am blown away.
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