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How NOT to Recommend Software

Anyone who has Apple software (i.e. iTunes) on Windows has probably seen this Apple Malware, er Software Update screen suddenly appear at one point or another.

I seem to see it every week on the multiple PCs I use. And it really pisses me off.

First, what kind of “update” is this? I don’t even have either of these products so what am I “updating”? On further research, it looks like I just never noticed that Apple “surprised” me with MobileMe this summer at some point when I updated iTunes.

Second, I appreciate that Apple has changed this to “opt-in” (neither product is pre-selected). Safari used to be pre-selected, as John Lilly, CEO of Mozilla points out on his blog. But still, WTF?

Third, I’ve already declined this exact offer just last week (and the number of times I’ve declined Safari on this machine has to be in the double digits now). So, why am I seeing this again? Surely, Apple is a smart company but don’t they have any smart software that knows what I don’t absolutely don’t want? Doesn’t take a Genius to figure that out.

Lastly, I’m very disappointed in Apple. I’ll disclose that I have a brother that works there, but this isn’t a sibling rivalry. I’ll also disclose that I’m not a heavy Apple consumer myself (other than my love/hate iPhone relationship, which is reserved for a whole other post).

But, I certainly hold Apple in high regard for what they’ve achieved for the consumer (by putting them first, above and beyond record labels, movie studios, and mobile carriers). In fact, Apple was recently named by Interbrand as the nation’s top brand, as well as the brand you’d most like to sit next to at a dinner party.

However, for the past six months, Apple has not only continually offered me software I’ve already clearly stated I don’t want, but has been doing so in a manner that is compromising my trust and offending my intelligence as a technology user. That’s saying a lot since I’m the business dude.

PS – As I was writing this blog post, the Apple Software Update decided to pay me another visit for old time’s sake. This time, MobileMe Control Panel was pre-checked for my convenience (since obviously if I didn’t select to install these items last time, Apple must think I tried but missed the check box). Now I’m definitely not sitting next to you, Apple, at the next dinner party.

• By Chester Ng
• No Comments
• October 29, 2008

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