The seam where a city meets the country is an uncanny place. It’s not rural, yet not exactly urban, either, a non-place often full of half-finished streets and isolated developments. Most of us only see these environments through the windows of our cars, but photographer Alexander Gronsky has spent the last four years in Moscow’s outskirts, watching and photographing.
     |
Those damn dot-commers are still mucking up San Fran, parents are passing along their dangerous pedestrian ways to the next generation, a giant suitcase is an eyesore in Red Square, and—sigh—we’re all so lonely. These things and more are What’s Ruining Our Cities.
| |
Not everything in Russia is crazy people in cars, anti-gay mobs and a Nazi government with no respect to human rights. Here’s something that I wish we had: a machine that gives you a subway ticket for 30 squats in less than two minutes.
| |
Moscow has chosen a design for its first new public park in half a century. Zaryadye Park will sit on a 13-acre site that’s been host to some colorful history: The homes of 16th century aristocrats, 18th century peasants, a Stalin-ordered redevelopment, a failed plan to build the city’s tallest skyscraper, and finally, the world’s largest hotel—demolished in 2006.
| |
Despite Russia’s size, Apple has always had to sell in the country through carriers and resellers — a pain for customers who might have to wait weeks beyond the initial launch of a device to see it in stores. If we’re to believe tips from distributor insiders speaking with Kommersant, Apple wants at least some kind of first-party presence in the country. The company has supposedly set up a majority-owned local branch, Apple Rus, to run an operation that would start direct sales as soon as 2013. As for official retail stores, we simply don’t know. Apple executives were reported as disappointed in available locations following a trip to Moscow in 2011, but there’s been no chatter since. Apple certainly hasn’t commented on the subject. We do know that iOS- and Mac-loving Russians in at least major cities will be happy if Apple establishes a more official presence, even if it still leaves us mourning the lost opportunity for an obvious Snow Leopard tie-in.
Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Laptops
Apple reported to be preparing direct sales in Russia, wanting more Macs for Moscow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink 
The Moscow News, 9to5 Mac | 
Kommersant (translated) | Email this | Comments
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
