New Delhi: Apple CEO Tim Cook was in India last week and had a busy schedule, starting from meeting India’s top business leaders, partying with SRK, watching an IPL cricket match in Kanpur and meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Amidst these engagements, Cook made some significant announcements. Here is a quick look at the top 5 developments announced:
iOS App Design and Development Centre in Bengaluru
The first big announcement made by the apple CEO Tim cook was of the first iOS App Design and Development Centre in Bengaluru.
“India is home to one of the most vibrant and entrepreneurial iOS development communities in the world,” said Cook in a press statement. “With the opening of this new facility in Bengaluru, we are giving developers access to tools which will help them create innovative apps for customers around the world.”
The centre is expected to open in early 2007 and Apple’s experts will lead briefings and offer one-on-one app reviews for developers. The developers will also be guided on Swift, which is Apple’s programming language to help build apps for iOS, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Watch.
Apple map development centre in Hyderabad
Tim Cook has announced 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 Hyderabad facility will provide a world-class, LEED-certified home for the expanding Maps team. For the map development centre, Apple has partnered with Noida-based RMSI, a leading IT services player that offers GIS, analytics and software services.
Also read: Apple CEO Tim Cook meets PM Modi, visits Gandhi Smriti museum (See Pics)
Sale of pre-owned iPhones not ‘dumping’
Apple CEO Tim Cook told a leading daily that his plan to sell certified pre-owned iPhones in India was not dumping at all. He emphasised that the certified pre-owned iPhone was something that the company does in many other countries, which includes the US.
Cook said that the pre-owned iPhones will help them reach customers who really want an Apple device.
Apple Pay, Operator billing in India
Cook said in an interview that he is keen to bring in services like Apple Pay in India. Cook also met ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar in Mumbai to discuss about the matter. “We are also looking at things like bringing Apple Pay. I met one of the key banks and tried to understand how their view of mobile payments would play out,” he said in a statement.
Plans to manufacture in India
CEO Tim Cook discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the possibilities of manufacturing and retailing in the India. “Cook shared Apple Inc’s future plans for India. He spoke of the possibilities of manufacturing and retailing in India. He appreciated the breadth of young talent in India and said the youth have significant skills which Apple would like to tap,” an official statement said.
