Apple CEO opens map development centre in Hyderabad

Tech giant Apple Inc on Thursday opened a new office in Hyderabad that will focus on development of maps for Apple products like iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch.

The investment will accelerate maps development and create up to 4,000 jobs, the company said.

Apple CEO Tim Cook, who flew in here from Mumbai, formally inaugurated the office along with Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, at WaveRock complex at Nanakramguda.

"Apple is focused on making the best products and services in the world and we are thrilled to open this new office in Hyderabad which will focus on maps development," Cook said.

"The talent here in the local area is incredible and we are looking forward to expanding our relationships and introducing more universities and partners to our platforms as we scale our operations."

The Hyderabad facility will provide a world-class, LEED-certified home for the expanding Maps team.

During his remarks at the launch ceremony, Cook described India as aunparalleled' and said he liked vibrancy of people of this country.

"We (are) honoured to be here for lifelong friend ship with Telnagana," Cook said. He said he would meet university students and women in the afternoon.

The Apple CEO said Apple created best products to the betterment of people's life.

"We are honoured Apple chose Hyderabad as a home for its Maps development office," said Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

"This will create thousands of jobs here and is a testament to our proactive approach, quality infrastructure and the excellent talent base we have in the region."

Before inauguration of the facility, Cook had a meeting with the chief minister. Telangana's information technology minister K.T. Rama Rao, who is the chief minister's son, IT secretary Jayesh Ranjan and a few top officials were present during the meet.

The chief minister briefed Cook about the state's new industrial policy, terming it as the best policy in the world.

Rama Rao requested Cook to open Apple's own campus in Hyderabad. He said the state would like to be a partner in Apple's growth story.

Rama Rao later tweeted "Hyderabad becomes home to the largest tech development centre of Apple Inc outside of US."

"With Apple, Hyderabad now is proud to be home to 4 of the top 5 most valued tech companies' largest office outside USA: Google, MS & Amazon."

For the map development centre, Apple has partnered with Noida-based RMSI, a leading IT services player that offers GIS, analytics and software services.

"Apple is one of the most innovative companies in the world and we are very proud they chose us to partner with for this important project," said Anup Jindal, RMSI's CEO.

"We are experts in geospatial data and we will be hiring thousands of people from the local area to support this effort."

On Wednesday, Apple revealed plans for an iOS app design and development facility in Bengaluru.

Apple has been continually updating and adding new features to Maps, including 3D views, the Flyover feature and tools to help customers find convenient places to shop, eat and explore nearby areas.

With iOS 9 Apple added Transit, offering a combination of trains, subways, buses and walking, which is already available for more than 300 cities around the world.

Across India, Apple supports over 640,000 iOS app developer jobs and other positions related to the iOS ecosystem.

Apple revolutionised personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV.

Apple's four software platforms -- iOS, OS X, watchOS and tvOS -- provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud.

--IANS

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