The new free Apple Store Time Machine app will take you back in time, allowing you to explore four iconic Apple Stores on their grand opening days.
Introducing the Apple Store Time Machine
Michael Steeber (@MichaelSteeber) keeps an eye on Apple retail and updates on the company’s brick and mortar stores. And now he’s painstakingly recreated several of Apple’s iconic retail stores on their grand opening days. Read: What is an Apple ID balance and how to use it on Apple devices
The Apple Store Time Machine is a celebration of the places and products that have shaped our lives for over twenty years. This interactive experience recreates memorable moments from Apple’s history with great detail and historical accuracy.
Clearly crafted with love, this project uses the Unity graphics engine to give everyone a virtual experience of the following four Apple Stores:
- Tyson’s corner as it was on May 19, 2001
- Stanford Trade Center October 16, 2004
- Fifth Avenue, May 19, 2006
- Apple Infinite Loop, September 19, 2015
The level of detail is extraordinary, as Stieber himself admits to spending countless hours researching these stories down to the smallest detail. You can navigate in three dimensions using the WSAD keys on your keyboard, just like in some first-person shooter. You can crouch by pressing C on your keyboard and interact with some objects by pressing the E key. At any time, press the Esc key to open the keyboard cheat sheet. Read: How to enter the degree symbol on Apple devices
Nostalgia just hit
In some stores, you can watch Apple ads. In other cases, you can interact with apps like Photo Booth and GarageBand on computers lined up on tables. The world’s first Apple Store (Tysons Corner) is recreating the old Genius Bar (Apple’s free technical support available in stores). Thoughtful details such as the ringing phone in the Genius Bar and software boxes complete this extraordinary experience.
Wander around Tysons Corner long enough and you might even see Steve Jobs walking down the aisles and talking. It’s fun to travel through these stores virtually and remember what products were popular in the past. For example, the first three stores featured the iPod, Apple’s iconic music player, on virtual shelves.
How to Download the Apple Store Time Machine
You can download Time Machine from the Apple Store via the Michael Stieber website. The app is completely free to download and use, but you can make a donation if you like it. And while you’re there, be sure to check out Steeber’s Tabletops newsletter.