And I thought Google was bad...

Rik · Mar 05, 2011, 10:27:00

El Reg reports that:

QuoteApple has allowed Opera's desktop browser into its new Mac App Store, but it has decreed that no one under 17 years old can download the thing.

Jan Standal, vice president of desktop products for Opera Software, takes issue with Apple's stance. "I'm very concerned," he said in a statement. "Seventeen is very young, and I am not sure if, at that age, people are ready to use such an application. It's very fast, you know, and it has a lot of features. I think the download requirement should be at least 18."

We agree, Jan. At least 18. Maybe even 19. We would also argue that Apple should attach an intelligence requirement. Anyone with an IQ under 80 should be forced to use Safari.

Safari is the Apple browser that comes preinstalled on Apple Macs, and there's no age minimum on Mac purchases. Considering that Safari loads the same webpages as Opera, Apple's insistance on an Opera age minimum isn't an effort to protect young minds from the horrors of the internet. Clearly, Apple believes that young minds shouldn't be exposed to the reality that they're free to use applications eminently preferable to its own.

Unbelievable!

Glenn · Mar 05, 2011, 10:50:53

It's true, anyone can go on safari, but generally, only older people appreciate opera.

Rik · Mar 05, 2011, 10:53:05

What's your favourite opera, then, Glenn?

Glenn · Mar 05, 2011, 10:54:00

I'm not old enough yet.

Rik · Mar 05, 2011, 10:56:13

I enjoyed opera from the age of about 10.

Simon · Mar 05, 2011, 11:35:46

Quote from: Rik on Mar 05, 2011, 10:27:00
Unbelievable!

Is it?

Rik · Mar 05, 2011, 11:43:15

Well, knowing Apple, perhaps not.

pctech · Mar 05, 2011, 11:49:11

Apple are becoming a bit power crazed.

Hard to believe that 15 years ago the company was dying on its ass isn't it?

Glenn · Mar 05, 2011, 11:51:03

Now it's one of the top cash rich companies in the world.

pctech · Mar 05, 2011, 11:53:04

Probably won't be if Steve Jobs steps down or passes away.

Its shares seem to dip instantly there is any bad news about him.

Glenn · Mar 05, 2011, 11:57:07

Back in September they were valued as the 2nd highest valued company worldwide. With Steve's illness, they may have dropped back a little.

Rik · Mar 05, 2011, 12:38:01

Wait till the Chinese buy them...

Niall · Mar 05, 2011, 13:43:11

How exactly do they think that they'll legally be allowed to do this? They might as well block all Microsoft websites just to be sure that children aren't corrupted into buying a PC instead of a macbook, or they could block Creative/Sony websites so they aren't scarred by other mp3 players other than the ipod.

This is the sort of article I'd expect to see on April the 1st.

pctech · Mar 05, 2011, 14:43:24

Apple are, and always have been, control freaks.

Rik · Mar 05, 2011, 16:34:16

Quote from: Niall on Mar 05, 2011, 13:43:11
This is the sort of article I'd expect to see on April the 1st.

Oddly enough, I did double-check the date, Niall.

Technical Ben · Mar 07, 2011, 16:29:45

Quote from: Niall on Mar 05, 2011, 13:43:11
How exactly do they think that they'll legally be allowed to do this? They might as well block all Microsoft websites just to be sure that children aren't corrupted into buying a PC instead of a macbook, or they could block Creative/Sony websites so they aren't scarred by other mp3 players other than the ipod.

This is the sort of article I'd expect to see on April the 1st.

ASAIK on of the modes of Opera (it's speed boost mode) uses a different DNS lookup and thus bypasses Apples/Mac OS own content filter. So the program can bypass parental controls, and so rated as "adult only".

It's fair enough IMO. However, Apple should note WHY.

Rik · Mar 07, 2011, 16:32:54

I agree, Ben, if that's their reasoning.

Technical Ben · Mar 07, 2011, 16:40:17

I've noticed Opera on the mobile/PDA does the same. IE when doing speed tests ect, it notes my location somewhere in Norway or Sweden, or where ever the Opera servers are. I wonder if it filters content to make it fit on the device/phone? Like the Google does, you can go through them to layout websites with mobile compatible views. IE, Google Mobile. http://www.google.com/xhtml

Den · Mar 07, 2011, 18:48:08

I've never understood why Microsoft get hauled through the courts and forced to offer browsers other than IE but Apple can do as they like. Is it possable to build a computer yourself and run the Apple Mac opperating system?

Glenn · Mar 07, 2011, 18:49:56

You can, but is it legal? http://www.hackintosh.com/

kinmel · Mar 07, 2011, 19:46:07

Quote from: Den on Mar 07, 2011, 18:48:08
I've never understood why Microsoft get hauled through the courts and forced to offer browsers other than IE but Apple can do as they like. Is it possable to build a computer yourself and run the Apple Mac opperating system?

Yep, I have got it multi-booting, the T&Cs for OS X 10.6.6 forbids running it on non-Mac hardware; that's just one more thing that keeps me awake at night.

It even installs on my netbook without too much trouble

pctech · Mar 07, 2011, 19:51:35

Why would anyone buy PC hardware at twice the price and have it run a proprietary O/S (UNIX with a flashy UI) when I can buy a PC which may come with Windows but I can load any O/S I want on it.