Apple is setting up a maps development center in India , part of
a broader effort to grab a bigger share of one of the world's largest
markets.
India is one of the few smartphone markets that is is
experiencing growth even as other heavily populated countries like China are
showing signs of saturation.
Apple's ability to grab a significant share of the Indian
market will depend on its ability to offer cost-effective models for a
price-sensitive population, according to analysts. It has so far tried to build
up its share by selling earlier models of its phones. Apple may also have to
consider manufacturing their products in India , as have many other
smartphone makers, to benefit from incentives for local manufacturing.
The company said on Tuesday that it is opening a development
office in Hyderabad
that will have over 150 Apple employees supporting maps development. "The
office will also have space for many contractors who will support our ambitious
efforts locally," it added, without providing details.
Data released by IDC on Tuesday showed that Apple did not
figure among the top five smartphone makers in the country. Samsung had the
largest market share, with 26.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015, followed
by Indian vendor Micromax with more than 14 percent.
The Indian smartphone market grew 15.4 percent in the
quarter, year over year, to 25.6 million phones. Sixty percent of the market
was held by Indian and Chinese vendors who mainly target the price-sensitive
segments of the market. On Wednesday, a new entrant, Ringing Bells, is expected
to announce a smartphone that could be priced at around US$7, according to
reports.
Apple announced last month that it was setting what it
described as Europe's first iOS app development center, in Italy .
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