As you probably heard, Apple recently announced a new version of iTunes, iTunes 8. The new version adds a feature called "Genius," which is sort of a Pandora's Box/Last.fm rip-off that recommends more iTunes purchases based on your past iTunes purchases. The new update also serves to further bloat the iTunes + QuickTime package, to the tune of about 4mb, though I'll admit I don't quite remember how big prior iTunes + QuickTime downloads have been. 75mb seems excessive for a music player and a media format I care nothing about, though.
Oh, and don't forget about the pre-checked Safari in the "New Software" box. Nice try (again) Apple.
But wait, there's more! After my install, Apple Software Update re-checked for updates, and now it wants to add further garbage to my computer:
MobileMe Control Panel? What?
I don't own an iPhone or an iPod Touch. Why would I want (or need) a MobileMe control panel on my computer?
This is even further baffling because after the last iTunes update, I had MobileMe Control Panel installed in my Windows Control Panel, and I had not been informed or let alone, agreed to, any sort of MobileMe software installation. Now it has been covertly removed from my computer, and then added to the Apple Software Update utility.
Maybe other people share my feelings and don't like Apple sneaking their software onto my computer? Is Apple trying to assimilate my computer by adding small bits of it's software here and there, until one day I turn on my computer and I find I'm running Mac OS?
Either way, Apple is quickly overstaying its welcome on my computer, and I don't appreciate it. The next time I find random Apple software floating running in and out of my computer all willy-nilly, I'm uninstalling iTunes and using WinAmp.
Oh, and when I closed Apple Software Update, I we met with this gem:
Icing on the cake.
17 Comments
This is what I’d expect from Apple.
They really want to get back to the top that bad? Why not improve there Operating System MUCH more, then people might be more interested.
-Matt
My old version of itunes was 5 or so MB bigger than the new one. However, I do notice random apple stuff floating around that I never remember installing (Like bonjour). I don’t understand sneaking in software from a business point of view, a user point of view, or any point of view really…
Ah, yeah… I forgot about Bonjour. I noticed that too, and I promptly disabled the service. The only time they mention Bonjour is when you disable it too – the next time I started up iTunes it informed me that Bonjour needed to be restarted if I wanted to use wireless speakers or Apple TV, or something. I just OK’d through it and forgot about it. :)
Leopard is far more easier to use than any Microsoft based OS, but let’s not get into that.
88MB IMO is not a large download, (At least if you’re not using Dial-up!)
As for the other installations, there’s a ‘check-box’ under ‘New software’.
See it? Click it.
“As for the other installations, there
@ Yourself:
The majority of applications I have at home do the same when I install, it’s not just Apple.
The problem is, it shouldn’t be checked by default. Apple knows that one of the chief reasons why people’s Windows installations get destroyed is because they mindlessly click through everything – that’s why they ask for your account password every time you install something. They take advantage of your trust by dropping new software into the install, pre-checked, and not having this pop up whenever iTunes wants to update. As I’ve said before it’s sneaky, and it’s just not in the same vein as the rest of their corporate image.
I disagree with what you said about Leopard being easier to use than Windows as well, Eddy. I use both OS’s very frequently (these days, i probably use Mac OS more than Windows, actually), and there’s nothing more frustrating than having all the details hidden from view just for the sake of appearing simple. I can’t think of anything about the Mac OS X platform that is easier to do than in Windows, and that includes technical stuff like networking, which is actually, in my opinion, harder to do on Mac.
Throw in the fact that Mac OS X help is a lot harder to find on the internet (especially for more obscure issues), that they take months to issue patches for security problems, and their general arrogance towards consumers, and you’ve got a pile of crap that I wouldn’t touch, in my personal affairs, with a ten foot pole.
I do like some features of Mac OS… but I would never buy one of their computers, especially one that I can’t play games on unless I dual boot into another OS. Too expensive, too much big brother / hand-holding, and too little software / tech support for me.
“@ Yourself:
The majority of applications I have at home do the same when I install, it
There’s a reason I use Windows Live Media Player instead of iTunes, it loads faster, and works way better.
Dmaster270: Yeah, now’s the time to check out a much lighter alternative.
And if you use WMP for videos, VLC.
Tuntis: I don’t plan on changing because WMP is fine for me. I don’t need all that extra stuff they think you need.
Dmaster270: “All that extra stuff?” foobar2000 is the lightest modern media player for Windows that exists. Try it and you’ll ditch WMP forever.
I haven’t tried it but after a friend gave me a file that only works in Zune that I wanted to hear I dld Zune to hear. I’m now using Zune :P.
Wait, people actually use iTunes to play music?
I mean, why would you WANT to have to wait for the thing the boot up, and then have it bog down the rest of your system as you listen to your music?
“Wait, people actually use iTunes to play music?
I mean, why would you WANT to have to wait for the thing the boot up, and then have it bog down the rest of your system as you listen to your music?”
Because WMP is three times worse (in fact I’ve never had a problem with iTunes “bog[ging] down” my system. And because it’s more feature full than winamp or the likes.
Aside from the store, there’s nothing iTunes does that Winamp doesn’t.
I use both frequently, so I can complain freely. :D
I hate this. I got a iTouch but now I have to use iTunes. D: