Apple Store Time Machine: Michael Steeber Heads Back to Old Haunts

26 JULY 2022 - Would you like to go to four iconic Apple Stores on the day they opened? Well, you can’t. But, there is a neat app for the Mac about which you should know. iDownloadBlog has written up “Apple Store Time Machine,” a free Mac app developed by Apple retail enthusiast and journalist Michael Steeber.

Formerly with 9 to 5 Mac, the iDownloadBlog piece says Steeber “has painstakingly recreated a few of Apple’s iconic retail stores as they looked on their grand opening days.” Or re-opening, in one case. The stores and dates are:

• Tysons Corner as it was on May 19, 2001

• Stanford Shopping Center on October 16, 2004

• Fifth Avenue on May 19, 2006

• Apple Infinite Loop on September 19, 2015

I’ve downloaded it, though I’ve had very little time to explore. I will say though - just launching the app is delightful. It takes the user quickly through a sort of Mac time capsule before accessing the time machine. Having spent a bit more time with it, iDownloadBlog says:

In some stores, you can watch Apple’s commercials. In others, you can interact with apps like Photo Booth and GarageBand on computers lined up on desks. The first-ever Apple store (Tysons Corner) recreates the old Genius Bar (Apple’s free tech support service available within stores). Thoughtful details such as a ringing phone at the Genius Bar and boxes of software complete this extraordinary experience.

Labor of love is written all over the project. While it is free, there is also a version for which one can pay. No difference between the two, just - one lets users reward Steeber’s work.

Both the free and paid versions are available on Steeber’s site.