Apple opens its accelerator for app developers in Bengaluru

Centre to support developers to design, test, optimise their apps to better run on iPhone and iPad

Nearly a year after Apple CEO Tim Cook visited India to woo Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bollywood stars and start-ups, the iPhone maker has opened its doors to app developers with the first-of-its-kind accelerator in Bengaluru.

The Centre will support Indian app developers to design, test and optimise their apps to better run on Apple's iPhone and iPad. The move is aimed at replicating the iPhone's success a decade ago in developed markets, where users flocked to it due to the availability of higher quality apps.

"We are impressed by the great entrepreneurial spirit in India, and are excited to provide a platform for these developers to share their innovations with customers around the world," said Philip Schiller, SVP of Worldwide Marketing, in a statement. "In just the first few weeks, we've already seen some incredible developers here at the App Accelerator Bengaluru."

Apple will be able to provide guidance to over 500 developers every week where they will be able to get analysis and feedback for their apps from a set of experts. The company will also look at supporting Indian developers in using its own Swift development language to build apps and services for its iPhone.

The opening of the app accelerator comes weeks ahead of Apple's first iPhone manufacturing plant in Bengaluru going online. The facility is expected to produce the low-cost iPhone SE and will allow the company to circumnavigate high excise duties of importing a fully assembled device into India.

As Apple is working hard to increase sales of its iPhones in India, the company is trying to woo developers who've traditionally built services for Google's Android operating system first. Even today, devices running Android outnumber iPhones by over nine to one, as majority of buyers look for affordable smartphones.

Being India's start-up hub, Apple picked Bengaluru as the site for its app accelerator given its high density of tech companies and developers. The company continues to lure them in with its user base of high-end discerning customers who would spend more money within apps than their Android smartphone using counterparts.

"Apple's commitment to the developer community through the opening of the App Accelerator is a tremendous investment in the future of India's digital economy," said Nasscom President R Chandrashekhar.

While facing several roadblocks from the central government to make India a manufacturing base of its iPhone, Apple continues to view India as one of its priority markets globally. Cook on several occasions has reiterated how important the India market will be for Apple in the next decade, where it is trying to replicate is China success.