Apple Gets Developer Slot At Mobile World Congress

Apple has never participated in the mobile industry’s largest get together, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) show. But in a sign of Apple’s growing influence over the industry, organisers will host a number of developer-focused events at the next conference.

MWC takes place each February in Barcelona, Spain, and next year’s event is scheduled to be held from 14-17 February 2011 in Barcelona.

The news that Apple developers will be catered for came after MWC organisers said that they have expanded their App Planet event and partnered with IDG World Expo to produce ‘Macworld Mobile’ for the show.

iPhone and iPad Focus

Macworld Mobile is intended to be a mobile developer event for the Apple iPhone and iPad platforms.

The GSM Association runs MWC and has confirmed that Vodafone chief Vittorio Colao and HTC chief Peter Chou will be among the keynote speakers. But don’t expect Steve Jobs, as Apple tends to prefer to organise its own conferences and events.

Apparently the Macworld Mobile iOS Developer Conference will provide full-day in-depth training as well as technical sessions. It will target tools and applications specifically designed for mobile application developers and engineers.

“App Planet proved to be a stunning success in its debut this year at Mobile World Congress, demonstrating the tremendous demand for in-depth content, networking and business development opportunities and information on the cutting-edge technologies and solutions in the mobile application space,” said Michael O’Hara, chief marketing officer at GSMA.

“The developments we are announcing today, particularly the launch of Macworld Mobile which will target the critical Apple developer community, will serve to make App Planet and Mobile World Congress the epicentre for the app world,” O’Hara added.

“We’re excited to bring Macworld Mobile to Mobile World Congress,” said Mary Dolaher, chief executive officer of IDG World Expo. “At Mobile World Congress, we will help international iOS developers to strengthen their skills, as well as facilitate connections with other developers and the worldwide audience of mobile decision makers who attend.”

App Competition

In addition, the GSMA is running a Brand App Challenge, a competition that will allow app developers to create apps for selected consumer brands.

Developers will create customised mobile apps for the participating brand sponsors based on the objectives and guidance provided by the individual brands, it said.

The competition starts in October with finalists named one month before the event. The winners will be announced at the event, and receive a cash award for their effort.

The GSMA also announced RIM and Palm as the first Application Developer Conference (ADC) partners for App Planet.