Apple SW Update for 3rd Parties?

MacRumors · Jan 19, 2003, 08:37 PM

One source claims that Apple may open up Mac OS X's Software Update to 3rd party developers.

Such a move would allow non-Apple applications to be automatically downloaded/updated with the same painless method as current Mac OS X updates.

Such a feature would be released as a SDK interface for developers and may find its way into OS X as early as 10.3.

Tue12 · Jan 19, 2003, 08:41 PM

It's a "no brainer" really. It's a concept that's well overdue for implementation.

MrMacMan · Jan 19, 2003, 08:46 PM

Wow this migh be quite Intresting, if true.

This might lead to some very new paths.

medea · Jan 19, 2003, 08:51 PM

this is a damn fine idea, lets hope it becomes a reality.

dricci · Jan 19, 2003, 08:56 PM

Finally! No more hunting around Version Tracker or MacUpdate to see if I'm running the latest build of things. This is a very good idea, and would be the ultimate addition to Apple's "ease of use."

I'm just wondering how this would work, would it have to check in with Apple's servers, or would the developers be able to specify their own update URL?

dwishbone · 09:07 PM

well, in apple's attempt to compete against microsoft sometimes i think they forget about the other main player...Linux.
There are several versions of Linux that offer integrated updaters like this. They let you know of new versions of programs and libraries that have installed in your distribution. It is usually pretty painless. I have no doubt if Apple does this it will be one of the best (and a great selling point I might add) features to MacOS X. As long as they can do this without getting any personal information (aka. Palladium) I'm all for it.
Viva La Apple!!!!

NoWonder · Jan 19, 2003, 09:11 PM

Great idea IF and ONLY IF apple puts some real security around it. This would be a very tempting way to roll out a virus.

--nw

RBMaraman · Jan 19, 2003, 09:19 PM

Is Apple already partenered with Aladdin Systems to do this? Here's the reason I think they are.

For Christmas, my parents got my brother a 17" iMac. After we got it hooked up, I ran software update. One of the updates I had to download was an update for Aladdin Systems Stuffit Expander. This was the first non-Apple update I had ever seen. Is anyone had this happen?

Hemingray · Jan 19, 2003, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RBMaraman
Is Apple already partenered with Aladdin Systems to do this? Here's the reason I think they are.

For Christmas, my parents got my brother a 17" iMac. After we got it hooked up, I ran software update. One of the updates I had to download was an update for Aladdin Systems Stuffit Expander. This was the first non-Apple update I had ever seen. Is anyone had this happen?

Apple did this because it was a "security update" and as far as I know all Macs are bundled with StuffIt Expander, so it's their responsibility to notify us of the update. Just like Internet Explorer updates show up, even though it's made by M$.

atodd · Jan 19, 2003, 09:29 PM

Yeah.

They need to separate the 3rd-party updates from the Apple ones though. Make them in a separate tab. This is so you can, say, only download system updates if you want to. Plus there would be a LOT of stuff to pick through. A preference pane to customise which apps you want in the SWupdate?

Freg3000 · Jan 19, 2003, 09:31 PM

Sounds like something to be bundled in with Mac OS 10.3

Catfish_Man · Jan 19, 2003, 09:36 PM

On a semi related note (services for 3rd party apps), it seems to me that the crash log service could VERY easily be modified to provide something like Mozilla/Chimera/Omniweb's talkback to any program that wanted it. That would be spiffy.

BigJayhawk · Jan 19, 2003, 09:45 PM

Very WELCOME Idea.

guifa · Jan 19, 2003, 10:04 PM

I have a feeling that Apple won't actually host the updates/update information on their services (at least without a fee), but in the Info.plist or elsewhere in the the application bundle there will be a place to insert a URL to point Software Update in the right direction.

It sounds like a very good idea, hopefully it won't require a really big fancy server with CGI and such. Perhaps .mac support for developers?

ibjoshua · Jan 19, 2003, 10:16 PM

I imagine if they wanted they could make it like Sherlock using some sort of web service (SOAP maybe). Then anyone who wanted to could build a module.

It'd be nice if they could get it to work with Fink too.

i_b_joshua

rainman::|:| · Jan 19, 2003, 10:22 PM

i've been waiting for this since software update became stable. It only makes sense. Even the apps that automatically check for updates don't do a good job, you're never sure if they'll open a browser window, use the one you're surfing in, automatically download, use browser download, automatically install, overwrite data, need restarting or not. hell, sometimes they don't work at all. Mozilla's update function never worked properly on my system; Norton's leaves the LiveUpdate app running once it's done (and there's no updates to be found).

This would dramatically add to ease-of-use for the semi-computer literate... one of the things i found most as a computer consultant is people who were running software that was years old, dealing with bugs on a daily basis that had long ago been fixed. There are whole new sets of bugs out there to be had

pnw

Buggy · Jan 19, 2003, 10:35 PM

They will probably only make it available to .MAC users.

IndyGopher · Jan 19, 2003, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Buggy
They will probably only make it available to .MAC users.

I hope so. Get more people to shell out for .Mac, and make it a better deal for those of us who do.

Duff-Man · Jan 19, 2003, 11:35 PM

Duff-man says: good idea, as long as they keep an eye on it and don't just anyone drop stuff in for auto update...wouldn't be too long before someone with a twisted "sense of humour" put their new destructive mac os x virus in software update. oh yeah!

ennerseed · Jan 19, 2003, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Duff-Man
Duff-man says: good idea, as long as they keep an eye on it and don't just anyone drop stuff in for auto update...wouldn't be too long before someone with a twisted "sense of humour" put their new destructive mac os x virus in software update. oh yeah!

my thought excatly

arn · Jan 19, 2003, 11:53 PM

if this does happen... the other question is how to deal with paid upgrades...

Let's say a major revision of an application comes out... and costs $99. Will SoftwareUpdate handle it? Or will it only do free-upgades?

arn

Hemingray · Jan 20, 2003, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by arn
if this does happen... the other question is how to deal with paid upgrades...

Let's say a major revision of an application comes out... and costs $99. Will SoftwareUpdate handle it? Or will it only do free-upgades?

arn

Hm, now there's an interesting thought! I suppose they could treat it almost like iPhoto when you order prints, have the 1-click system implemented into Software Update or something. I don't really see Apple allowing for 3rd-party apps to do that, only the Apple brand products. But that's a pretty cool idea.

Choppaface · Jan 20, 2003, 12:25 AM

many apps already have update checking features

shadowfax · Jan 20, 2003, 12:35 AM

i think this would be a nice feature for just free updates, which most tend to be. then they could just inform you about non-free updates.

speechgod · Jan 20, 2003, 12:45 AM

I personally know the developer of UpdateRadar, Ricci Adams. Update Radar already does most of this.

Seems Update Radar is going to become the next Watson.

His site: ricciadams.com

Jan 19, 2003, 08:37 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple SW Update for 3rd Parties? One source claims that Apple may open up Mac OS X's Software Update to 3rd party developers. Such a move would allow non-Apple applications to be automatically downloaded/updated with the same painless method as current Mac OS X updates. Such a feature would be released as a SDK interface for developers and may find its way into OS X as early as 10.3.

Jan 19, 2003, 08:46 PM	#3
MrMacMan macrumors 601 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: 1 Block away from NYC.	Wow this migh be quite Intresting, if true. This might lead to some very new paths. __________________ There is a little Steve in all of us! -->Folding is Fighting Against Disease and help MacRumors. Join Today!<-- Props to --> Shadowfax For Making My Avatar! IM Me On AIM Already!

Jan 19, 2003, 08:51 PM	#4
medea macrumors 68030 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Madison, Wi	this is a damn fine idea, lets hope it becomes a reality. __________________ Winner Of The '04 Animated Avatar Contest Misanthrope's Creed: One's company, two's a crowd. Solipsist's Creed: Zero's company, one's a crowd.

Jan 19, 2003, 09:04 PM	#6
dwishbone macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: On the Moon	well, in apple's attempt to compete against microsoft sometimes i think they forget about the other main player...Linux. There are several versions of Linux that offer integrated updaters like this. They let you know of new versions of programs and libraries that have installed in your distribution. It is usually pretty painless. I have no doubt if Apple does this it will be one of the best (and a great selling point I might add) features to MacOS X. As long as they can do this without getting any personal information (aka. Palladium) I'm all for it. Viva La Apple!!!! __________________ VIVA LA MAC! Last edited by dwishbone : Jan 19, 2003 at 09:07 PM.

Jan 19, 2003, 09:31 PM	#11
Freg3000 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: New York	Sounds like something to be bundled in with Mac OS 10.3 __________________ FregTK This Is Momentum.

Jan 19, 2003, 08:41 PM	#2
Tue12 macrumors member Join Date: May 2002	It's a "no brainer" really. It's a concept that's well overdue for implementation.

Jan 19, 2003, 08:56 PM	#5
dricci macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2001	Finally! No more hunting around Version Tracker or MacUpdate to see if I'm running the latest build of things. This is a very good idea, and would be the ultimate addition to Apple's "ease of use." I'm just wondering how this would work, would it have to check in with Apple's servers, or would the developers be able to specify their own update URL?

Jan 19, 2003, 09:11 PM	#7
NoWonder macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NoWhere	Great idea IF and ONLY IF apple puts some real security around it. This would be a very tempting way to roll out a virus. --nw

Jan 19, 2003, 09:19 PM	#8
RBMaraman macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New Albany, IN	Is Apple already partenered with Aladdin Systems to do this? Here's the reason I think they are. For Christmas, my parents got my brother a 17" iMac. After we got it hooked up, I ran software update. One of the updates I had to download was an update for Aladdin Systems Stuffit Expander. This was the first non-Apple update I had ever seen. Is anyone had this happen?

Jan 19, 2003, 09:29 PM	#10
atodd macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: between yourself	Yeah. They need to separate the 3rd-party updates from the Apple ones though. Make them in a separate tab. This is so you can, say, only download system updates if you want to. Plus there would be a LOT of stuff to pick through. A preference pane to customise which apps you want in the SWupdate?

Jan 19, 2003, 09:36 PM	#12
Catfish_Man macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, OR	On a semi related note (services for 3rd party apps), it seems to me that the crash log service could VERY easily be modified to provide something like Mozilla/Chimera/Omniweb's talkback to any program that wanted it. That would be spiffy.

Jan 19, 2003, 09:45 PM	#13
BigJayhawk macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Jersey	Very WELCOME Idea.

Jan 19, 2003, 10:04 PM	#14
guifa macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Auburn, AL	I have a feeling that Apple won't actually host the updates/update information on their services (at least without a fee), but in the Info.plist or elsewhere in the the application bundle there will be a place to insert a URL to point Software Update in the right direction. It sounds like a very good idea, hopefully it won't require a really big fancy server with CGI and such. Perhaps .mac support for developers?

Jan 19, 2003, 10:16 PM	#15
ibjoshua macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Aotearoa	I imagine if they wanted they could make it like Sherlock using some sort of web service (SOAP maybe). Then anyone who wanted to could build a module. It'd be nice if they could get it to work with Fink too. i_b_joshua

Jan 19, 2003, 10:22 PM	#16
rainman::\|:\| macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: iowa	i've been waiting for this since software update became stable. It only makes sense. Even the apps that automatically check for updates don't do a good job, you're never sure if they'll open a browser window, use the one you're surfing in, automatically download, use browser download, automatically install, overwrite data, need restarting or not. hell, sometimes they don't work at all. Mozilla's update function never worked properly on my system; Norton's leaves the LiveUpdate app running once it's done (and there's no updates to be found). This would dramatically add to ease-of-use for the semi-computer literate... one of the things i found most as a computer consultant is people who were running software that was years old, dealing with bugs on a daily basis that had long ago been fixed. There are whole new sets of bugs out there to be had pnw

Jan 19, 2003, 10:35 PM	#17
Buggy macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Canada	They will probably only make it available to .MAC users.

Jan 19, 2003, 11:35 PM	#19
Duff-Man macrumors 68030 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Albuquerque, NM	Duff-man says: good idea, as long as they keep an eye on it and don't just anyone drop stuff in for auto update...wouldn't be too long before someone with a twisted "sense of humour" put their new destructive mac os x virus in software update. oh yeah! __________________ Duff-Man computes with...Mac Pro 3.2GHz 8 core 18GB RAM + MacBook Pro 2.5GHz C2D + 16GB iPod Nano + iPhone 3Gs 16GB...Oh Yeah!

Jan 19, 2003, 11:53 PM	#21
arn macrumors god Join Date: Apr 2001	if this does happen... the other question is how to deal with paid upgrades... Let's say a major revision of an application comes out... and costs $99. Will SoftwareUpdate handle it? Or will it only do free-upgades? arn

Jan 20, 2003, 12:25 AM	#23
Choppaface macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: SFBA	many apps already have update checking features

Jan 20, 2003, 12:35 AM	#24
shadowfax macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Houston, TX	i think this would be a nice feature for just free updates, which most tend to be. then they could just inform you about non-free updates. __________________ iMac 3.06 GHz \| 4GB RAM \| 500 GB ::: Unibody MacBook 2.4 GHz \| 4GB RAM\| 250GB 80 GB Video iPod ::: 16 GB iPhone 3G

Jan 20, 2003, 12:45 AM	#25
speechgod macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Minnesota	Apple does it again. A repeat of Watson. I personally know the developer of UpdateRadar, Ricci Adams. Update Radar already does most of this. Seems Update Radar is going to become the next Watson. His site: ricciadams.com

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