Pure Genius: How Apple is killing Windows Vista with iTunes 8

Davey Winder
Friday, 12 September 2008 18:14

IT Industry - Strategy

Nice one Apple, way to go. How about testing your apps before releasing them next time? Of course, even this creative solution does not work for everyone. But it's OK, Apple has another support document to help.

What to do when Windows XP or Vista computer displays a blue screen error message when syncing the iPhone or iPod touch suggests "updating the software drivers for Logitech QuickCam/Webcam products, Lexmark scanners, and some built-in media card reader drivers."

As one irate user responded in the Apple support forums:

"Dear Apple Support and all those of you users out there who love apple:

1. ITUNES 8...doesn't work
2. It's not microsoft's fault
3. It's not HP's fault

It's Apples fault for not properly testing their software before releasing.
I shouldn't have to turn off/unplug anything to make it work. So if I go by the solutions presented in this forum.

1. I need to do something with logitech software (which I don't have)
2. I need to unplug turn off my HP printer every time my wife and I want to sync our ipods. (Um...not really an option)

So apple and apple lovers, it's a problem you need to fix because it's a bug in your software."

He has a point, don't you think? One industry blogger says "a poorly written program can crash itself but not the entire system. So how can a supposedly simple software update cause a fatal crash?"

How indeed, and the answer would seem to be a mix of this not being a simple software update but rather a whole new lump of software with new device drivers. No less than five installer packages and a master setup application come with iTunes 8.

A new USB controller driver appears to be the real problem here, because this is installed when an iPod is connected via USB to iTunes 8 for the first time. And that is when the BSOD appears.

Of course, you wouldn't know this, being a Windows user. Apple does not bother disclosing what it is doing to your system or give you the opportunity to decline driver updates and the like. Instead it just says 'want iTunes 8 matey?' and gets on with it.

Still, it will be able to say that Windows Vista is unstable and still crashes with that Blue Screen of Death in its next advertising campaign. Genius!