Apple’s Floating Orb in Singapore- A new fancy-tech store
The Covid-19 Pandemic might have been a dampener for the world and its economical aspirations but it certainly has got the silicon valley booming. According to Reuters on 19th August, Apple became the first company in the world to hit a market valuation of 2$trillion, surpassing Saudi’s Aramco to become the world’s most valuable company. The Wall Street has put its faith in the I-Phone ecosystem which posted robust sales figure amidst the pandemic, particularly in China which accounted for 60% of the total I-Phone sales. With the linchpin of lockdowns exhumed in China and supply chains bouncing back due to strong demand, Apple is poised for phenomenal growth. The tech giant recently announced to open a ‘floating store’ resembling an ‘Orb’ in the greater-bay area of Singapore in the Marina Bay Sands Resort which is one of the most prominent and bustling areas of Singapore.
Apple posted a teaser about the same on twitter saying “Apple Marina Bay Sands will be the heart of the creativity, a place we have made for you to capture your ideas and passions”. The prominent glass promenade is all glass which according to Apple is supposed to reflect the Greater Bay skyline during the day and shine like a glowing lantern with kaleidoscopic colours in the night. The idea is to convey Apple’s transparency and technological prowess which according to it has been its cornerstone in developing its products. The store also has a broad wooden boardwalk to connect it to the waterfront of the Marina Bay Sands Resort. Reportedly designed by British Architectural firm Fosters and Partners and with a footfall of 10.2 million overseas tourists in (2018–19) at the Bay Area alone, the store is poised to be a pathway of futuristic and technological interaction with potential Apple customers and add to the overall aura of the Greater Bay front Area. The store will compliment Apple’s other stores in Singapore at the Changi Airport and the Knightsbridge Mall.
Apple is yet to provide any information on the opening of the store to the Public with Apple’s Tim Cook replying to a query on twitter for the same as “soon”.
Apple has been on quite an onslaught of expanding its business particularly in South Asia(India) with the promise of moving some of its assembly plants there. I-Phone manufacturer Foxconn also promised to invest around to 1$billion to set up a new assembly plant in India. Apple also recently opened its futuristic corporate headquarters in 2017 at cost of 5$ Billion in Cupertino, California. With its coffers brimming with dollars, there’s no stopping Apple in near future.
