Apple’s Du to students: ‘Change the world’

People love to think of the Cupertino, California-based Mac, iPhone, iPod and iPad maker as elitist. However, perhaps the greatest influence Apple’s had on the smartphone business is democratizing development, opening it up to just about anyone.

Apple Mobile Solutions Consultant and “evangelist” Charles Du (LinkedIn) took the lectern at Loyala Marymount to deliver a challenge to students — change the world. That’s a rather modest goal and he proposes an even more modest tool to accomplish it.

“If you write one useful app, you can instantly change the world,” said Du. “There are 7 billion people on the planet and there will be 5 billion mobile devices in use by the end of this year.”

And, the simple way to participate in this boom sector of the global economy, while modestly changing the world? Learn to program in Objective-C and write iOS apps.

We should believe him when says these things not because he’s an Apple Mobile Solutions Consultant and evangelist, but for the reasons he got the job — Du spearheaded the design and implementation of NASA’s first iPhone app, which was free, groundbreaking and very, very popular.

One app at a time

Moreover, the Apple evangelist emphasizes you don’t have to be a genius or hatch a world changing yourself.

“There is a huge shortage of iOS developers,” said Du.

So, there you go, great advice from a guy who’s done it. What’s more, with a Mac mini, iPod touch and perhaps a book or three — all doable for under $1,000 — you too can change the world…

What’s your take?

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