Apple CEO Tim Cook on Thursday inaugurated a facility in Hyderabad that would focus on development of maps for its products. It is also interesting to know that across India, Apple supports more than 640,000 iOS app developers and others who are involved with the iOS ecosystem. The company noted that thousands of developers in India develop apps for the iOS platform, and its initiative will provide specialized support and “help them hone their skills”. Briefings on iOS topics and development will be a regular staple at the center, as well as one-on-one app reviews for developers by iOS experts, according to Apple. The company has set its plans to establish a center for iOS developers in Bangalore, India, and will be available early next year, in 2017.
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CEO of Apple Tim Cook said, “We are thrilled to open this new office in Hyderabad which will focus on Maps development”.
India is considering new rules on geospatial data collection that would require security clearances for the collection of mapping data in the country as well as its dissemination online, which could have a chilling effect on crowdsourced maps and other user innovations. This investment will accelerate Maps development and create up to 4,000 jobs, said the company.
After an early morning visit to a Hindu temple in Mumbai, Cook announced the United States technology behemoth was planning to build the app design facility in the southern city of Bangalore.
Sales of iPhone devices increased 56 percent in India, during the first three months of 2016.
A recent report showed that Apple’s market share in India sums up to almost 5.8% in urban areas, where the spending power is higher than the country’s average spend. Tim Cook will be meeting politicians and policy-makers to sort out the issue.
Apple posted its first ever drop in global sales in the January-March quarter due to a slowdown in China. Apple sells what it calls refurbished iPhones at a discount in some countries, including the United States.
“I view India as where China was maybe seven to 10 years ago”, he said earlier this year. Recently, it was reported that the technology giant will open a development center in Hyderabad, which will be used for its mapping services.
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Apple has announced the opening of a new $25 million development office in India, which will be dedicated to improving Apple Maps. A recent report by developer placement firm Toptal shows jobs requesting Swift rose 600 percent in 2015. Nonetheless, given the impressive scope for growth, Apple is taking a slew of initiatives to push further into the market. However, it is expected to surpass the U.S. to become the second-largest market in the coming years.
