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iOS developers poised to win big in Apple-IBM deal
http://www.infoworld.com/article/2608448/application-development/ios-developers-poised-to-win-big-in-apple-ibm-deal.html

Mobile developers with knowledge of Objective-C and Apple’s fledgling Swift language could be the big winners in the company’s newly announced partnership with IBM.

That alliance has IBM firmly endorsing the iPad, with Big Blue reselling Apple’s popular tablet device preconfigured with enterprise apps for vertical industries. More iPads will end up at large IBM shops, opening up new markets for iOS application builders.

Some — but not all — iOS developers could have a major opportunity to earn lots of income in the enterprise space, said iOS application developer Christopher Allen, CTO of software developer ReOrientmedia.com. “Working at an enterprise level often requires ‘full stack’ skills, from UX to client engineering and on through to a scalable back end, which is the kind of experience the more indie app developers don’t have,” he noted. “Those teams that have this broader experience will do well.”

Apple’s Swift development language, introduced in early June, could get a big shot in the arm thanks to the partnership. “It certainly looks like IBM will be retraining a bunch of its consultants in Swift — that might push a few of its customers down that direction too — which would be a long-term win for Apple,” said Forrester analyst Jeffrey Hammond.

Allen, who has studied Swift, does not see the language as specifically geared toward business apps, although it does offer security benefits. Security of course, is a principal concern of enterprises. “There is nothing specific to Swift for business. It’s an alternative to Objective-C that is more ‘modern’ and thus can address some of the common errors a programmer can make while coding.”