Safari on Windows
Having used Safari as my default web browser at home since its inception, I found it weird when Apple decided to port it to Windows. I downloaded the public beta and installed it at work to give it a go. Once it fired up I got this weird feeling, looking at the faux metal brushed window staring back at me. Apple software being ported to Windows - wow. I think a shudder just went up my spine.
As I delved a little deeper into playing with Safari I began to realize, Apple didn't just port Safari, they ported Software Update, Address Book, and Bonjour as well. "What the hell?" I thought. Is Safari the start of Apple porting most of their software to Windows in an attempt to woo people over?
Safari for Windows compared to Safari for OS X looks much as iTunes for Windows compares against its OS X counterpart. The Apple design touch is definitely there, but it is clearly not as pretty looking at it on Windows. It looks foreign and out of place. However, it does look a lot better then most Windows applications (IMHO); so maybe it just looks so strange on Windows because it's designed with your eye in mind.
Stevey J. wasn't kidding with his fancy schmancy bar graphs during his latest keynote - Safari 3 is fast. I was surprised how fast Safari 3 was on Windows. However, that being said, I don't think it does anything else spectacularly enough to convert regular Windows users to switch to it. In fact, I'm guessing most regular Widows users will just find the interface strange and uninstall it.
Also - Safari 3 is still very clearly in Beta; it crashes every now and then.
I'm still a big fan of Opera, and it is the browser I use when I have to use a PC, but it's been interesting taking a look at Safari 3 for Windows. Who knows, maybe next I'll be downloading Calendar and Mail for Windows as well. However, with so many people (that I know anyway) already switching to Mac's for their next planned computer purchase, the whole Safari on Windows thing might be a moot point anyway.
As I delved a little deeper into playing with Safari I began to realize, Apple didn't just port Safari, they ported Software Update, Address Book, and Bonjour as well. "What the hell?" I thought. Is Safari the start of Apple porting most of their software to Windows in an attempt to woo people over?
Safari for Windows compared to Safari for OS X looks much as iTunes for Windows compares against its OS X counterpart. The Apple design touch is definitely there, but it is clearly not as pretty looking at it on Windows. It looks foreign and out of place. However, it does look a lot better then most Windows applications (IMHO); so maybe it just looks so strange on Windows because it's designed with your eye in mind.
Stevey J. wasn't kidding with his fancy schmancy bar graphs during his latest keynote - Safari 3 is fast. I was surprised how fast Safari 3 was on Windows. However, that being said, I don't think it does anything else spectacularly enough to convert regular Windows users to switch to it. In fact, I'm guessing most regular Widows users will just find the interface strange and uninstall it.
Also - Safari 3 is still very clearly in Beta; it crashes every now and then.
I'm still a big fan of Opera, and it is the browser I use when I have to use a PC, but it's been interesting taking a look at Safari 3 for Windows. Who knows, maybe next I'll be downloading Calendar and Mail for Windows as well. However, with so many people (that I know anyway) already switching to Mac's for their next planned computer purchase, the whole Safari on Windows thing might be a moot point anyway.