-TAKE A BITE OF THE APPLE -
-http://www.apple.com-
As I approach the website I can see it has a clean, neat appearance with a clear grey uncluttered heading of the Apple options. Placed across the middle of the page are three stunning, minimalist in design, aesthetically pleasing, white iMacs displaying a black Apple logo to the bottom of the monitor. With the words running above the iMacs of; 'More power. Thinly disguised'. This is an extremely thin operating system with running speeds up to 3.06GHz.
Beneath the selection bar are featured the iPhone Software Roadmap - The New MacBook Pro - A new gig for iPod Shuffle and American Idol on iTunes. The site has a very simple yet effective minimal layout and I was impressed with its clean lines. On the top of the page is a grey bar which runs across next to the search bar and the first thing you come across is the 'Store'. Each section when clicked on opens up to an extensive selection inside.-
-STORE-
Store has absolutely everything Apple for sale here. From the iPhone to the amazing Mac Pro, 'The fastest, most powerful Mac. Ever'. The store is packed full of MacBook, MacBook Air, iPod Nano. iPod Shuffle, iPod touch and iMacs, then down to the simple iTunes gift card. There is a huge selection of software and accessories also. It is extremely well displayed in sections upon a crisp white background. To purchase from the store you are asked to create an online account by first entering your email address. I already have an iTunes account and you are able to sign in with this. Payment is by the usual Visa/MasterCard (etc) method. Also here, is a section explaining their policy on refunds.
I had a lot of fun looking around this section as I have an iMac, as well as other Apple items. I much prefer the Mac OS (operating system) to Windows. Though I think since the advent of windows Vista, the PC is much improved as to its ease of use and streamlining of application to the user. There is a lot of specialist information on all the apple Mac items, which would be very useful to a prospective buyer wishing to know more before purchasing.
-MAC-
The next section is Mac; which is another very nicely designed page. To the top you have an impressive running display of iMacs, MacBook Air and notebooks looking very powerful all in a row and dazzling with their clean cut lines and their high design features. Also software packages, Quick Time, Mac OSX plus much more. Beneath this are the words 'Why your next PC should be a Mac'. 'iMac now up to 3.06GHz. To one of the clearly defined sections it features MediaStorm which is a serious application that creates visionary journalism.
Media Storm fuses Aperture 2, Apple's photo management and editing application with Final Cut Studio and Logic Studio, to create journalism with immediacy. MediaStorm utilises the stills with the most telling and honest of still imagery software and this combined with the journalism and sound makes for an amazing end product. MediaStorm has whipped up a frenzy in the serious world of journalism. "One MediaStorm story "Kingsley's Crossing" by Olivier Jobard, has won an Emmy". Amazing stuff and the iMac is an ideal breeding ground for software such as this. MediaStorm is "a production studio and online publication that is, in all seriousness, a journalist's dream come true".
-iPod+iTunes-
This is the home for all things iPod and iTunes. From downloading iTunes 7, to iTunes movie rental. The page is choc full of interesting accessories and featured iTunes and movies. There is even an engraving service offered for the iPod here. Selections of iPod Nano's, tutorials and tips, top music on iTunes, and build iPod Touch presentations 'Get the Software Development Kit for iPhone and iPod touch'. Once again this page is well laid out, with drop-downs for each particular technology.-
-iPhone-
I like this page. I love the iPhone and will be the proud owner of one very soon. This page has the iPhone Software Roadmap centred on the page and it features the iPhone development programme. Basically it's to see what's next for the iPhone and what is being developed right now. It features the Enterprise Beta programme "which is a unique opportunity for IT departments to try iPhone 2.0 software before its general release". Whichever company is chosen to take part they will test the iPhone enterprise features in their corporate environment, then provide Apple with valuable feedback".-
-DOWNLOADS-
This page deals with all of the Downloads that Apple has to offer. From Safari 3.1 to iTunes. There is also Quicktime, Developer tools, Aperture, home and learning, simulation and sports, Email and chat, Internet utilities, 3D Solitaire, Google Earth and Microsoft Office 2 and so much more. This is a brilliant page full of great downloads. It features Safari 3.1 as the Worlds Best Browser. About Safari: "Experience the web, Apple style, with Safari: the fastest, easiest-to-use web browser in the world. With its simple, elegant interface, Safari gets out of your way and lets you enjoy the web faster than any browser. Safari is free for Mac + PC".
This does sound excellent and I am almost tempted to try it, though I am very happy with Firefox, which does everything that I want it to. - Well I thought I would try it to see how fast it was and it is extremely fast indeed, though a little grey looking. I prefer the look of the Firefox, it is much brighter and more cheerful looking with its bright orange Firefox, though definitely not as fast as the Safari. Which whizzes along incredibly fast.-
-SUPPORT-
On the final bar there is the support application for all things Mac. There is support for ipod and iTunes in the form of iPod manuals, download iTunes, iTunes Gift Card FAQ. Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, connecting to the Internet, sending and receiving Email. iPhone: iPhone users guide, setting up Email on the phone. There is help on computer and server and all Apple iPod technology. There is billing support, managing your account and much more besides. It really is very easy to find everything easily on their clearly sectioned dropdowns and email Apple if all else fails.-
-SUMMARY-
I was most impressed with the Apple site. It is professionally sorted and beautifully designed, ensuring ease of use and smooth navigation for the user. The site is a wealth of stunning iMacs and i technology and I was hugely taken with the MediaStorm journalist package software and want to own this as soon as. The Mac OS has never ending capabilities, it is an incredible invention.
I know most people own Windows PC's and wouldn't give Macs the time of day. But having owned several I can assure anyone thinking of owning an iMac to go ahead as they really are quite remarkable machines. The Apple.com site aids the Mac user very well and anyone who is looking to purchase one of their products. Everything for you is here. An amazing site, which is as beautifully designed as their i-technology. -
http://www.apple.com