In an announcement that is characteristically well-timed before the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference which kicks off on Monday, June 8, Apple today said it will open Europe’s first Apple Developer Center in Berlin.
It will launch later this year, bringing the total number of centers to five. The other four are in Cupertino, Bengaluru, Shanghai and Singapore.
The exact timing has yet to be announced, but, having sat in on sessions where app-makers have pitched their stories, I know that support for developers is close to the Cupertino giant’s heart.
A New Innovation Hub In Germany
This new center will mean that developers throughout Europe will have strong access to Apple experts and events, and a direct way to learn about the latest Apple tools, technologies, and resources. It will be in the Mitte district of the city.
Berlin has a strong international community, so choosing the German capital means Apple can build on the diversity being at the heart of Europe offers.
The company’s support for its developers takes many forms and is designed to suit all levels of expertise and experience.
At its heart is an intention to help developers hone their skills across Apple’s series of platforms.
Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, described why such an expansion is important in an Apple Newsroom post.
“We have always believed that when developers have the right tools and resources to do their best work, incredible things follow. That belief is what this center is built on, and we look forward to seeing what the community continues to develop,” she said.
Tailored For Teams Of All Sizes
Whether a developer is working on their own or as part of a bigger team, Apple says the new center will be designed to suit, offering in-person sessions, workshops, and one-on-one appointments. Alongside, there will be consultation areas and dedicated labs for hands-on support from Apple experts, all in multiple languages. This international focus is important, given that apps are available through the App Store in 175 countries and regions.
Programs include the Swift Student Challenge, a network of 19 Apple Developer Academies worldwide, and Apple Foundation Programs in Italy and France which are already supporting developers across Europe.
