I recently updated my iTunes software to version 8, which has some pretty cool new features. When you update iTunes you must also update QuickTime, Apple’s multimedia player. I understand that iTunes uses the QuickTime codecs, but what if I don’t want QuickTime? Well, there is no choice. According to Apple you need to install QuickTime to run iTunes. I know that Apple could probably install their codecs and any other necessary QuickTime pieces without actually installing the whole QuickTime, but I give them the benefit of the doubt. They want to promote QuickTime and we all go along with it.

iTunes & Safari

iTunes & Safari

Now, however, Apple is getting on my nerves. For the last few month’s every time I update iTunes I am presented with an update window with a pre-checked box in front of both iTunes & QuickTime and Safari, Apple’s web browser. Safari is not a bad browser. I use it on my Mac, but I prefer to use Firefox on my PC. My gripe is that it sounds like Apple is doing me a favor to update my Safari browser, but it says the same thing even if Safari is not installed.

If you don’t uncheck the update Safari box, Apple installs Safari for you, whether you want it or not. This is obviously very confusing to many people who have written to me asking what Safari is and how it got on their computers.

Apple should be ashamed of themselves for these pushy tactics. If Microsoft tried to install Internet Explorer on a Mac machine when someone installed Microsoft Word, everyone would be up in arms. Yet Apple seems to get away with it!

So to answer all of you who have written about Safari, no it is not spyware. It is a web browser like Firefox and Internet Explorer. If you have inadvertently let Apple install it on your computer you can uninstall it from the Control Panel.