It doesn't bother me, nor do I think it's a crime, and here's why:
The only people who will download this, will be uneducated commoners who think that IE is the internet. They don't know what a browser is, so they don't know to go looking for an alternative.
The people who won't download it, are those people that have made an educated decision to go with the browser of their choice, for whatever reason. These people down get any new software from programs such as this, because they know the definition of software and how it relates to computers.
So if this is a "trick", than we are only tricking those users who are using a default browser, not by choice, but because they were tricked into using it in the first place, and think they have no other option. I see no reason why getting a few more people to *try* safari is bad, especially if it opens up to them the idea of different ways of getting to the internet. In fact I'd hazard a guess that they may end up with Firefox once they are educated on the idea of a browser.
And if they never use it... Well there is far more useless crap on those types of people's computers than Safari ;-)
The difference I see here between Apple and Microsoft, is that if Microsoft did it, they would be trying to retain and promote a browser majority. Apple on the other hand has a superior product (in my eyes), and is by far the underdog. Yes, there are advantages to being an Underdog in my mind.
Plus, how is this different than walking into your favorite store and seeing posters for things OTHER than what you intend to buy? Apple could always replace it with a little banner inside iTunes that promoted their products...
