On the morning of March 18, many owners of Windows-based PCs discovered a surprise in their Apple Software Update, but unfortunately, many others didn't either discover or enjoy the same surprise. For the first time, uber-CEO Steve Jobs and Cupertino-based Apple Inc. had sneaked a new product, Safari 3.1, into its normal software update.
Safari 3.1 is Apple's latest and greatest version of its blazing-fast, ultra-compliant Web browser. Out of beta following months of adaptation and testing, Safari for Windows represents another major opportunity for Apple to penetrate deeper into the soft belly of its rival, Microsoft. In fact, it's by exploiting the success of iTunes and QuickTime for Windows that Apple had a gateway for its Trojan horse.
Software updates, such as the Apple Software Update, are commonplace and quite useful to keep computer software bug-free, secure and up to date. However, the problem with Apple's recent Safari tactics is that these update programs are usually used to install updates-not new software. And to compound the problem, the software update was checked to install Safari alongside iTunes+QuickTime by default. Many users, of course, only do the default.
Now, regardless of how Safari 3.1 self-installed or disgruntled opinions of Apple's ruse, PC users can now sit back and enjoy the world's best browser. Coming in at 22.65 MB, Safari describes itself as "the fastest and easiest-to-use web browser for the PC," and it's difficult to disagree. With HTML and Java performance three-times faster than Firefox 5 and unique features such as Private Browsing and SnapBack all packaged in an elegant interface, Apple delivers a Web browser far superior to Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7, as well as the might-be-released-later-this-year IE 8.
With Safari, Apple wants to continue building and spreading its brand and reach further into the Windows community. For many people, the iPod and iTunes were gateway products-products which led previous Apple outsiders to purchase an iMac, Macbook, Macbook Pro or other, more expensive piece of Apple hardware. It's this type of gateway experience that Jobs and co. perhaps hope to repeat with the propagation of Safari.
So, does the ends justify the means? Probably not, but Safari 3.1 is certainly one Trojan horse that all one-half billion iTunes for Windows PC users should welcome with open arms.
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