Official Apple Developer- the new web design status symbol

An exploration into the power the Apple brand name is lending web production companies across the world.

Putting up a shelf? There’s an app for that. Splitting a bar tab? There’s an app for that. Working out the correct angle to launch your balled up piece of paper towards the bin? Yes, there’s even an app for that.

App is the web development buzzword of the moment. We can’t get enough of them. I’m thinking of trading my best friend in for an app, it would probably be far more reliable and nowhere near as much trouble.

It may be mere coincidence that ‘app’ is not only an abbreviation for application but also a nice shortening of Apple, but these days it’s impossible to think of apps (in any form, on or offline) without thinking of the iPhone giant. Clever, eh?

As smartphones become more intrinsically ingrained into our lifestyles (a good friend swears she may have died one night when, rather worse for wear, she got herself lost in darkest Soho had she not had her iPhone complete with Streetmap App on hand to save her) obtaining official App Developer accreditation is being seen as a real badge of honour within the digital design community.

London web design company Cyber-Duck (http://www.cyber-duck.co.uk) has this month received Apple’s official App Developer accreditation having successfully launched an iPhone and iPod Touch application for an emerging markets research firm. The app links into the company’s website, allowing management staff to track user trends, update internal systems and record and send meeting notes.

Speaking about how important this accreditation is, Cyber-Duck’s Head of Development, Sylvain Reiter said, “IPhone apps are the new market buzz. Not only does a dedicated company app increase productivity, it can also boost a company’s revenue through sales on the iPhone App Store. Being able to offer clients the option to build an iPhone compatible version of their website or an app is hugely important for the future of our business.”

He added, “Being recognised and accredited by Apple as official developers confirms that Cyber Duck’s quality processes for project management and framework coding are working perfectly. We’re always looking to provide our clients with innovative solutions and iPhone apps really are the new frontier.”

Official accreditation grants the bearer the right to display the Apple Developer logo and have apps available for download via the iPhone App Store. Not so quantifiable, however, is the worth of the accreditation in driving business and propelling web production companies towards a new class of complex and rewarding development projects.