Apple today released Safari 7.1 for OS X Mavericks.
Apple’s release notes (below, verbatim) contain an oblique slam on Google.
The update:
• Adds DuckDuckGo, a search engine that doesn’t track users, as a built-in option in the search field
• Encrypts all Yahoo searches from the search field
• Improves Reader compatibility with all websites
• Improves AutoFill compatibility with all websites
For detailed information on the security content of this update, please visit http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222
The update is available through Software Update in the Mac App Store.
MacDailyNews Take: Ladies and gentlemen, the gloves are now off!
Google’s going to rue the day they got greedy by deciding to try to work against Apple instead of with them. – MacDailyNews, March 9, 2010
MacDailyNews Note: To change your Safari default search engine to DuckDuckGo, a search engine that doesn’t track users: Safari > Preferences > General: Default search engine: DuckDuckGo.
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Google’s Sundar Pichai: Android not designed to be safe; if I wrote malware, I’d target Android, too – February 27, 2014
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U.S. DHS, FBI warn of malware threats to Android mobile devices – August 27, 2013
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FBI issues warning over Android malware attacks – October 15, 2012
Researchers discover serious flaw in Android app security, say HTC and Samsung ignore issue – September 28, 2012
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Wow, that’s fighting talk right there!
Been using Duckduckgo for quite a while now. There really is no reason to use Google anymore. You don’t have to use their crappy Android OS. You don’t have to use their intrusive and asinine search engine. You don’t have to use their lackluster buggy web services. The only reason to use Google is if you don’t know any better.
How reliable is DuckDuckGo in terms of finding useful things? I mean, its servers, its search engine and its databases are obviously smaller than Google’s. I really want to know.
I hate to say it, but at first look, I was not impressed, I hate Samsung, I hate Android, but even Bing appeared more impressive than DuckDuckGo, and I hated that! But I’m open-minded and will definitely spend more time with it.
Very Useful!
I have used DuckDuckGo a lot, most frequently for R&D searches in business where I do not want Google telling competitors what I am working on by telling them what I am searching for.
I find that DDG gives me usable results on the front page where with Google in often need to go to the 2nd or 3rd page to get past the Sites who have paid to be moved to the front of all searches, even if they have nothing to do with what I am trying to search.
Lots of reasons to use DDG. Give them a try, and don’t be put of by negative reviews – you never know if those come from paid responses by the competition. I just set DDG as my default search engine, will see how it goes in everyday use.
Pay the piper or risk his wrath.
DDG serves my needs flawlessly.
Maybe it’s a good time to buy DuckDuckGo.
That should read GoogdoggleGone.
(In California Governor Jerry Brown’s billion(s) dollar train fiasco is referred to as a “Browndoggle.”
I’m about as far right as you can go fiscally, but I’m STILL very much for the high speed rail. We NEED infrastructure like that.
It’s better than giving my money to homeless people.
For high-speed rail, Tax rich people and churches. I am for no hunger and no homelessness anywhere in this country. And “far right” repulses me.
But what does this all have to do with search engines?….
I Already changed my search to Duck.
I’m not sure how long it’ll last as my default search engine. I’ll probably switch back to Yahoo soon.
Haven’t used Google in awhile now and I almost don’t miss it! 🙂
Changed to DDG on the Mac but can’t say I am that impressed and find I am often clicking on Google site to search more accurately for things especially pics. Will persist with it but image presentation is pretty awful and far less substantial and general search is a little limited lacks nuance compared to Google. Also using Yahoo for other searches where I can but DDG needs to raise its game.
Me too. Most of the time DDG is just fine. Once in a while I need more, and I open Google. (maybe 5% of the time). I am sure DDG will continue to improve, and the increase of business from iPhone and Mac users will give them more oomph to develop.
Try: startpage.com/
Google search without the crap!
Safari doesn’t give me the option of selecting DDG as my default search engine.
You need to update to Safari 7.1
Been using DuckDuckGo for some time myself and it is now the default search engine at the local community centre where I manage their network. All our users seem to like it.
Good news is I’m about to replace four of the ten PCs in our main IT suite with iMacs. People will be queuing to use the buggers!
=:~)
I’ve been using DDG on my Macs and PC at work for six months. The only feature missing is the ability to restrict your search to a set time frame such as: within the past month or year. For those searches I still need to utilize the evil Google.
The ability to restrict a search to a specific time period is invaluable. This feature is why I still use Google about 50% of the time.
I wrote Duck Duck Go last week requesting time restricted searching. I encourage everyone to do the same.
Yes.
DDG isn’t perfect yet, but I’ve been trying to use it instead of Google. I often find myself going back to Google, as they are still the king of search (for now).
I surely avoid Windows, Android, Samsung, and have no use for a Kindle device. I prefer reading books and magazines (what’s left of them) on paper, and there’s always Kindle Reader and iBooks. But when it comes to search, until someone betters Google, I can’t be wasting time and looking over my soldier, using two search engines to make sure I’ve got it covered. I’d love it if there was something better than Google. Built it and I will come.
startpage.com/
Google search without the crap!
Apple is attacking from unexpected direction. Instead of creating competing products against Google, Apple is exposing Google’s almost criminal business model. Brilliant, Just Super Brilliant. Apple always thinks different.
For the people who are sceptical about DuckDuckGO just take a look through their Tour. Personally i find DuckDuckGO to be a very capable search provider and they respect users privacy.
I would love it if Apple bought DuckDuckGO at some time in the future as that would be a slap in the face of Google who after all treat the people who use them as the product.
Anyway I’m proud to say I’ve been google free since 2010 and will not use anything from that shady company.
Here is the link to take the DuckDuckGo Tour i hope it helps people make up their minds about DuckDuckGO give it a try at least you won’t be losing your privacy.
https://duckduckgo.com/tour
Don’t forget to “Reset Safari” once you’ve made the switch.
This isn’t Apple taking a swipe at anyone. That’s DuckDuckGo’s tagline, as can be seen under the search bar on their home page http://duckduckgo.com
That maybe true, but how often does Apple use someone else’s tagline in the release notes?
Hey, MDN. Fix your mobile app will you. It’s keeps crashing every time I try to view this article…and it only crashes on this article.
DuckDuckGo has been available as the default search engine via an extension to Safari for a while. I’ve been using DDG exclusively for several months. Google can kiss my back bumper.
I hope Apple buys DDG before Google does…
Set to DDG immediately, had been using it as an extension for some time. It just works, and I don’t feel the need to wash my hands after each search.
“Contemplate this on the Tree of Woe”
–Thulsa Doom
Yea for DuckDuckGo!
But switching search engines should be a pull down menu at the search input so you can go back and forth. It shouldn’t be just a preference thing. At the very least a right-click option.
That way people can experiment to see what they REALLY want.
You can also add the Disconnect extension to Safari and gain back some privacy. It also uses Duck, Duck, Go for search.
Hey Apple, how about allowing me to turn off cookies in Safari without it destroying my ability to use the iTunes Store ??? BAD design choice there.
I could be wrong, but doesn’t DDG just scrape Google for results?