The GSM Association sets up Apple developer event as part of expanding Mobile World Congress 2011 App Planet, and also confirms Vodafone chief Vittorio Colao and HTC chief Peter Chou among keynote speakers

The GSM Association (GSMA) is to expand its App Planet exhibition hall to put particular focus on developers working with Apple products at next year’s Mobile World Congress, to be held in Barcelona on February 14-17, 2011.

The 2011 App Planet, which debuted at this year’s event, will also include a new Macworld Mobile element.

GSMA chief marketing officer Michael O’Hara said: “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.”

The GSMA is partnering with IDG World Expo, organisers of Apple event Macworld, for the new Apple developer event.  The GSMA will run full-day training on iPhone and iPad platforms, it said, with technical sessions, targeting tools and applications designed for mobile application developers and engineers.

:We will help international iOS developers to strengthen their skills, as well as facilitate connections with other developers and mobile decision makers,” said Mary Dolaher, chief executive officer of IDG World Expo.

Also, the GSMA is running Brand App Challenge, a competition for 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.

Confirmed keynote speakers for the 2011 event include América Móvil and Telcel chief Daniel Hajj, HTC chief Peter Chou, Vodafone chief Vittorio Colao, WPP chief Sir Martin Sorrell, AT&T president Randall Stephenson, China Mobile chief Li Yue, Google chairman Eric Schmidt, Qualcomm chairman Paul Jacobs, and Twitter chief Evan Williams.

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