1996-2006 – Ten Years of Apple.com w/screenshots
Posted by: Michael on Oct 19, 2006
| The Web has changed a lot since 1996. As the Internet has evolved, websites have changed with them, but for most of the last 10 years, Apple.com has look very much the same (at least the front page, anyway). Take a look at how the site has changed from 1996 to now… (by the way, you can click on any of the images below and see the Internet Archive page the screenshots were taken from) |
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From 1996 to 1998 this is what Apple.com looked like. By today’s standards this site is laughable (although still better designed than MySpace), but at the time this was cutting edge. |
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In 1998, Apple updated their look with this much more streamlined design. |
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In 2000, Apple redesigned the site again. This new design is essentially the “missing link” between the 1998 design, and the layout that is still used today. Notice the red apple at the top of the page. |
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In 2001 the front page recieved another slight make-over. This time the “News Headline” bar was given an Aqua enhancement, and the Apple at the top of the page turned blue. |
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In 2002 the Apple in the top corner became gray (which it still is today). The rest of the front page remained virtually the same – only the site features significantly changed. (and boy…is it just me or does that iPod look like it’s ancient compared to the new 5th Generation models?) |
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The current front page design of Apple.com is almost identical to it’s 2002 counterpart, except for the “News Headline” bar, which is now a simple grey, and the addition of the iPod+iTunes tab. |
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| For the better part of a decade, the front page of Apple.com has been, for the most part, unchanged. Do you think it’s time for a redesign, or should Apple stick with what works?I wouldn’t mind seeing the site get a face lift, but that might just be me…feel free to leave your comments below and put in your two cents. |
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Comments
Original Menu Blog » Blog Archive » Historia de 10 años de apple.com
October 19th, 2006 at 6:33 am
[...] Applegazette ha recopilado a pantallazos 10 años de la web de apple… [...]
meneame.net
October 19th, 2006 at 9:03 am
1996-2006 – Diez Años de Apple.com (capturas de pantallas)…
La Web ha cambiado mucho desde 1996 hasta la fecha. Chequea como ha cambiado Apple.com desde 1996 hasta ahora….
Martin
October 19th, 2006 at 10:42 am
Its funny you posted this, coz I was just thinking the same thing. The site definitely needs a redesign, even if they just ditch the pinstripes (which havent been a part of the Operating System since 10.2).
I’m guessing that 10.5 will bring a new look to the OS anyway and probably a new website to match.
Webomatica
October 19th, 2006 at 10:43 am
I can’t think of much to improve the current Apple website design. Looks great.
Anonymous
October 19th, 2006 at 10:58 am
Ten Years of Apple.com w/screenshots…
The Web has changed a lot since 1996. As the Internet has evolved, websites have changed with them, but for most of the last 10 years, Apple.com has look very much the same….
煎蛋 : Blog Archive : 1996-2006 - Ten Years of Apple.com w/screenshots
October 19th, 2006 at 11:06 am
[...] The Web has changed a lot since 1996. As the Internet has evolved, websites have changed with them, but for most of the last 10 years, Apple.com has look very much the same (at least the front page, anyway).read more | digg story [...]
darwin
October 19th, 2006 at 11:07 am
I’m very conservative when it comes to Web design.
Visually interesting Web pages are good but Web pages that work are far better ie. “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.
A little tweak here and there wouldn’t go astray but as far as I can see the site works and people are comfortable using it the way it is.
Another downside is that changing it will only make it less easy to use for a returning visitors and one of Apple’s greatest brand strengths is customer loyalty.
Consider The Times of London, This publication has not changed the way it arranges its information for decades, the reason: people know how to find their way around. They’re there for the information not the show.
Nick
October 19th, 2006 at 11:08 am
We were actually discussing this very topic at the office the other day (we are an office full of Mac dorks, you see.) I’m pretty certain that the site could use a redesign but the tricky bit is: how? It’s so simple and elegant that I’d be hard pressed to come up with any meaningful changes. The only suggestion I’d make is to go a bit more art-y…but that’s just me.
Brajeshwar
October 19th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Awesome Collection.
Anonymous
October 19th, 2006 at 11:38 am
10 years of Apple.com…
For the apple fans, here is an article with the evolution of Apple’s website over the last 10 years: Ten Years of Apple.com w/screenshots.Via: digg.com
Technorati Tags:No Tags……
Juan Magdaraog
October 19th, 2006 at 11:42 am
Thanks for posting this. It’s nice to see 10 years of Apple.com. I think their site is evolving the Apple way. Slight changes here and there but still sticking to what works. The Macbook Pro inherited the Powerbook’s years old design but it still is a great thing to look at and it works. I’d be hard pressed to come up with a better design too. At least a totally new one. Same goes for the site. It might not be as artsy as some of the sites in the web but it works, it’s clean, it’s simple.
Si
October 19th, 2006 at 11:53 am
They need to create a website that works better for larger browser; it’s plain silly to have a page based on 800×600 in 2006.
The After Mac » Apple.com From 1996 To 2006
October 19th, 2006 at 11:54 am
[...] Ever wonder what Apple.com looked like 10 years ago? Visit Apple Gazette, they put together a post about the evolution of Apple.com from 1996 to 2006. Look at how Apple evolved their web site to what it is now. There’s been some discussions going around that Apple should do a face lift or redesign of their web site. Ever since 2000 the Apple web site looked pretty much the same sans, some changes here and there. Subtle enough that unless you pay real attention to it you probably would miss it. Well except now for the pro sections which now come in black. But it still basically shares the same layout. [...]
Seth
October 19th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
Thank for posting this (found it from Digg.com)
You know, I think the site still represents Apple and the designs, simple, sleek, and sexy. It’s easy to navigate around and gets the job done.
If it’s not broke….
Apple e la sua storia: dal 1996 al 2006
October 19th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
[...] La suggestiva retrospettiva offerta è molto efficace poiché, al contrario di scrivere lunghi articoli che elencano i diversi cambiamenti attuati, li mostrano con differenti screenshots della Hompage di Apple.com. [...]
Laurent
October 19th, 2006 at 12:46 pm
Very smoothy designs, simple. That’s what i like
Dieci anni di Apple.com [1996 - 2006] « Mac Blog
October 19th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
[...] [Via AppleGazette] [...]
煎蛋 : Blog Archive : 1996-2006 ，苹果.com的十年
October 19th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
[...] 互联网始于1996年——随着因特网的发展，网站也同时在改变。然而在过去十年中，苹果的主页Apple.com看起来几乎一个样…… -____- 点下面的链接可以看到苹果.com过去十年的主页截图。点击进入 | 来源链接 Apple [...]
mark
October 19th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
Wow! Apple’s first design was ugly!
PatrickQG
October 19th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
It’s worth noting that while the homepage hasn’t changed much, and the global nav tabs haven’t really either, most of the “inside” pages have changed dramatically. The homepage still works well: you can’t miss what they’re trying to show you.
EveryDigg » Blog Archive » 1996-2006 - Ten Years of Apple.com w/screenshots
October 19th, 2006 at 3:28 pm
[...] The Web has changed a lot since 1996. As the Internet has evolved, websites have changed with them, but for most of the last 10 years, Apple.com has look very much the same (at least the front page, anyway).read more | digg story Links [...]
96-06: 10 ans de Apple.com at Blogule
October 20th, 2006 at 9:48 am
[...] Le web a beaucoup changé depuis 1996 et le site Apple aussi forcément(et heureusement…). Vous pourrez voir ici les différents étapes de l’évolution de la homepage Apple, ça fait presque peur! On se sent vieux du coup en plus… [...]
Laurent
October 20th, 2006 at 10:13 am
“mark Said,
Wow! Apple’s first design was ugly!”
It was the first
links for 2006-10-20 » Whatever’s Interesting
October 20th, 2006 at 10:47 am
[...] 1996-2006 – Ten Years of Apple.com w/screenshots by Apple Gazette (tags: Apple History) [...]
Si
October 20th, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Darwin, ‘fraid you’ve no idea what you’re talking about when it comes to The Times – they have made wholesale changes and this year moved to a tabloid size and no longer produce a broadsheet version. They’ve changed with the times…
cafe.cybergene » Blog Archive » links for 2006-10-21
October 20th, 2006 at 9:22 pm
[...] 1996-2006 – Ten Years of Apple.com w/screenshots by Apple Gazette Appleの公式ページ、10年間の変遷 (tags: web design Apple History) [...]
roclar.net
October 22nd, 2006 at 3:12 pm
[...] digg Referer Link [...]
NestMac
October 25th, 2006 at 9:39 am
Los cambios que ha sufrido el site han sido innovadores, y son muy placenteros ala vista. En definitivo Apple deberia rediseñar su Web Page, tal vez como la ha hecho hasta ahora, de poco en poco. No me sorprenderia que con el release de Leopard para el 2007, la compañia decidiera hacerles unos ajustes al la pagina.
Nerdcore - A Blog about very cool Stuff. Und so.
October 30th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
[...] 1996-2006 – Ten Years of Apple.com w/screenshots by Apple Gazette (tags: apple webdesign) [...]
alexomatic :: Mac News & Other Geekeries
November 10th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
[...] A little visual retrospective of the apple website from 1996-2006. [...]
SCOOP
January 3rd, 2007 at 8:55 am
Apple’s new style:
Black is the new white
Mark my words
dfas
June 13th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Apple redesigns part of the hompage and nav bar on WWDC 07
YouTube Find: Apple.com through the years
January 30th, 2008 at 8:45 am
[...] of the first articles I posted on Apple Gazette was a look back at 10 years of Apple.com. Some clever fellow has taken a collection of images from Flickr covering the entire history of the [...]
Big B
February 17th, 2008 at 9:18 am
This set of screen shots is missing a few versions of the site that appeared in 1996. I remember one that was a brushed metal box in the middle of the screen with buttons all over it. It looked horrible. There was a lot of design churn around that time and I think they very quickly fired the bad designers and started getting closer to the overall Apple look and feel.