US-based technology major Apple today announced the opening of new development center in Hyderabad, India.
The new center will focus on development of Maps for Apple products, including iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch.
This investment will accelerate Maps development and create up to 4,000 jobs, said Apple in a statement.
“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,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.
Apple has added 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.
The new facility, located on the Waverock campus, will provide a LEED-certified home for the expanding Maps team.
Across India, Apple supports over 640,000 iOS app developer jobs and other positions related to the iOS ecosystem.
The Hyderabad facility will commence operations on one lakh square feet leased space in WaveRock, a building owned by real estate giant Tishman Speyer at Nanakramguda.
The US-based firm plans to expand the facility to 2.5 lakh square feet by next year. It will have 2,500 employees, IANS reports. The company, which has taken the space on lease at WaveRock, is also planning to build its own campus.
Apple’s Design and Development Accelerator facility in Bengaluru, slated to open in early 2017, will support engineering talent and developer community, creating innovative mobile apps in India.
The Apple CEO is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. He had met Modi at a Silicon Valley event in the US last September, where they discussed manufacturing plans under Modi’s Make in India initiative.
The Apple CEO flew to India from China, where Apple announced a $1 billion investment in the local ride-hailing app Didi Chuxing.
