Apple to develop maps at new center in India

U.S. tech giant Apple announced on Thursday the opening of a center in Hyderabad, a city in central India, that will focus on developing maps for all its devices and will be the company’s first development facility outside the United States.

The new Apple center will work on product development and 3D views, the Flyover app and searches for shopping and services for the iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch, the company said in a statement.

The new office is expected to create 4,000 jobs.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is visiting India, where the new center will develop a product included in iOS 9, Transit, which provides a database of transportation alternatives that already includes 300 cities around the world.

“The local talent is amazing and we hope to expand our relationships and involve more universities and partners in our platforms to the extent that increases our operations,” Cook said.

The head of the government of Telangana, Chandrashekar Rao, said it was an honor for his state to house the new Apple center, adding that it “will create thousands of jobs and is a testament” to a proactive vision, quality infrastructure and excellent talent in the region.

The launch of Apple’s Hyderabad facility came a day after Cook announced plans to create a development center for mobile apps for iOS in India.