Apple announces accelerator for iOS app developers in Bengaluru

Apple has announced that it will open an iOS app design and development accelerator in Bengaluru to nurture the community of developers building apps for its iPhone and iPad in India. 

Apple's chief executive is visiting India to visit the company’s maps development centre that’s coming up in Hyderabad, and to meet with several industry heads and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The centre is expected to open in early 2017 and the Apple team based here will work with developers, instructing them on the best practices, skills, design, quality and performance of the iOS apps they will be developing. 

"India is home to one of the most vibrant and entrepreneurial iOS development communities in the world," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, in a statement. "With the opening of this new facility in Bengaluru, we're giving developers access to tools which will help them create innovative apps for customers around the world."

Apple picked Bengaluru to open its app development accelerator on the premise that the city is home to more technology startups than any other part of India. It said that over one million people in the city work in the technology sector. The company sees massive opportunity in the future given that 40% of all graduates from universities specialise in engineering or IT.

The company has also roped in testimonials from leading Indian internet companies such as Zomato and Snapdeal who said they were delighted that Apple had decided to open an app development accelerator in Bengaluru. 

"Apple's investment in Bengaluru through its iOS Development Accelerator will have far-reaching effects for the area's rapidly growing and highly talented developer community," said Indian software lobby group Nasscom's President R Chandrashekhar. "Initiatives like these move the country forward in our efforts to advance a growth-led and sustainable technology sector."