Safari for Windows
Published on June 20, 2007 in Browsers Recently Apple released a version of their Safari browser for Windows. The Safari 3 public beta comes in both a Windows and Mac version. To many this was a surprise as at one time Apple would not have considered releasing a product for Windows. The success of iTunes has had an effect on this thinking, though, as it has given Apple a leading position in the music sales market and introduced Windows users to the Mac platform. For this reason some have postulated that Apple is hoping there are Windows users who love their iPods and iTunes that they will also download Safari and eventually make a move to the Mac platform. A second reason that is being suggested is that Apple is trying to take a piece of the search marketplace by launching a Windows version of the Safari browser so that users can use the Safari Google powered search field. While Safari is a free download it is one of Apple’s most profitable software products as the integrated search bar is a revenue generator.
Neither of these reasons is probably why Apple released Safari for Windows. It was not created to primarily be a showcase for the Mac or to be a revenue enhancer but designed to be an emulator to help web developers develop applications for Safari and/or the iPhone. One of the things that really jumps out about the Windows version of Safari is how identical it is to the Mac version. It would have been much easier to use the OS for much of what the browser needs. Thus its main purpose must be to make sure that developers who work on the Windows platform are able to build applications that will run correctly on the iPhone and on the Mac. Thus when the final version of Safari ships I suspect it will include an option to emulate the iPhone.
The beta version of Safari is still far behind Firefox, IE, and Opera when it comes to the actual user experience on the Windows platform. Until Safari can offer a plug-in system, like Firefox, the leading browsers have nothing to fear in terms of marketshare. Nevertheless, everyone should see benefits from this move from Apple. While Sarafi is currently very much beta software it is worth trying out especially if you are a web developer and want a fairly accurate representation on what your pages will look like to Safari users on a Mac platform.
Wow Safari 3 public beta version! What a browser with what an interface!! Now with windows version of Safari, Apple can surely expect to lure window users too. I strongly believe that Safari version for windows was not built solely with the aim of developing applications for the iPhone. Safari was also developed to give a new look and feel to the browser world with lot of new functionality. Apple managed to create some new features like Google search inbuilt that are not available with IE, Opera and Mozilla Firefox. Though some nice features like back button and scrolling window must also be incorporated. Thus its main goal is to make sure that developers who work on the Windows platform are able to build applications that will run correctly on the iPhone and on the Mac. Apple developers need to work on fonts size and styles too!! Though Firefox and IE need not worry as Safari is not going to take away their market
http://www.safaribrowserwindows.com/
With an expanding series of browsers on windows, IE, Mozilla firefox, Opera to name a few;Safari just adds one the list. But yes safari definitely has very attractive interface.And now with similar version of safari running on Mac Os and windows, Apple has certainly done a great job.!!
http://www.safaribrowserwindows.com/
Just to keep you updated, Safari 3.1 is now out of beta and is available for download from their page. This version is very stable and just as fast as ever. The only browser that comes close to being faster is the still in development Firefox 3.0 beta 5.
I have tried Safari on my windows XP. It is a little bit faster than firefox. But its menus are not that much interactive. But its only the initial stage of safari on windows platform. I believe that in near future safari will be the most preferred web browser.
http://www.safaribrowserwindows.com
Good article! your site let me learn more. Thanks!Pls keep up to date.
Just to mention safari for windows is faster in terms of speed, and provides the cool and fresh environment for the browser, both for XP and Vista - it’s great for sure, but the question that remains is how many add-ons are for Safari…
Thanks for this great post!
Cheers,
Mandy