Russia’s Internet population is on steroids

Story byErnst-Jan Pfauth

Ernst-Jan Pfauth is the former Editor in Chief of Internet at NRC Handelsblad, as well as an acclaimed technology author and columnist. He a(show all)Ernst-Jan Pfauth is the former Editor in Chief of Internet at NRC Handelsblad, as well as an acclaimed technology author and columnist. He also served as The Next Web’s blog’s first blogger and Editor in Chief, back in 2008. AtDe Correspondent, Ernst-Jan serves as publisher, fostering the expansion of the platform.

Get the TNW newsletter

Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

More TNW

About TNW

Oh Russia

I could fill this blog with exciting news from Russia. Whether it concernssearch giant Yandex, theiPhone launch, ordodgy oligarchs buying web stocks, the country’s Internet industry never ceases to amaze me.

What makes the country extra interesting, are the contradictions. While Russia has the fastest-growing Internet audience in Europe, it ranked near the bottom in terms of penetration and page views. Two conclusions can be drawn here: Russia still has a long way to go before they’ve bridged the digital divide and the Russian Internet market will become incredibly important when it has reached its full potential.

Robot developers keep making it seem like housebots are imminent when they’re decades away

Decline of X is an opportunity to do social media differently – but combining ‘safe’ and ‘profitable’ will still be a challenge

Discover TNW All Access

Space rover tests ‘natural intelligence’ based on insect brains

AI probably isn’t the big smartphone selling point that Apple and other tech giants think it is