Apple Sneaks Unauthorized MobileMe Applet on Windows OS

Apple’s launch of MobileMe service involved software glitches, frustrating outages,  misleading advertising claims that MobileMe is the “push” service, and subsequent apology letter. Apple’s problems with its MobileMe service continue. Apart from service glitches, Apple is in the business of spreading unauthorized software on Windows XP and Windows Vista machines - again.

Many MobileMe users haven’t been able to access e-mail service for several days. Apple’s online support forums are fuming with complaints.

In the meantime, the latest upgrade to Apple’s iTunes software has added another insult to the injury. It’s so called MobileMe control panel applet that installs  on Windows machines without warning or permission. Installing iTunes 7.7 also installs a MobileMe control panel in both Windows XP and Windows Vista. This applet, “MobileMe Preferences” control panel, is used by subscribers to log into the service and set sync options for Outlook or Internet Explorer, so they can access MobileMe’s online storage.

Simply uninstalling iTunes won’t remove this applet from your computer. You need to make sure you select “Apple Mobile Device Support” from the “Add or Remove Programs” applet in XP, or “Uninstall or change a program” in Vista.

As Sarah Perez, editor of ReadWriteWeb Blog, argued, “If any other company did the same (especially Microsoft!) the outrage would be deafening. So why aren’t we hearing more complaints about this behavior when Apple does it? Can they really do whatever they want?”

This is not the first time that Apple targeted Windows users with extra problems. Previously, when Apple bundled QuickTime with iTunes, they also included Safari browser without notifying Windows users. At that time, Safari  had one critical security vulnerability, known as “Carpet Bomb,” which allowed rogue websited to litter the user’s Desktop (Windows) or Downloads directory (~/Downloads/ in OSX) without the user’s consent. At the same time, the Safari browser was not configured to obtain the user’s permission before it downloads a resource.

According to MacWorld, Apple users continue to run into problems with MobileMe. “Users complained about a host of issues on Monday in Apple’s forum for the service, including being unable to access e-mail and problems with data synchronization.”