Apple admits providing fake Windows 8 Beta downloads
Although Microsoft merely previewed the next generation of Windows at the Computex 2011 this week, downloads for a beta version of Windows 8 were suddenly available as of June 1st. The beta download was offered on a new site, Windows8Advantage.com, which had a Microsoft look and feel, so many assumed it was genuine and downloaded the beta.
Users reported that although installation seemed quite smooth, normal use of the product was almost impossible; programs would take an eternity to start, crash with minutes after startup, or frequently show vague errors. After a few hours, a popup would ask the user if they wanted to “fix the problem”, after which the system would suddenly reinstall with a trial version of Mac OS X.
Although Apple denied any involvement with the fake Windows 8 Beta, Steve Jobs eventually responded, saying “I told Tim [Cook] many times, an entire department of marketing interns is just asking for trouble. It got of out of hand. We’re just a bit nervous about this Windows 8 thing, I guess.”
