Qualcomm looking to hire 'iPhone developer guru'

A job posting on the Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) website seeking an "iPhone developer guru" is fueling new speculation the company is at work on a CDMA chipset designed for a Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ)-compatible version of Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL)  iconic smartphone. The posting reads in part "The iPhone has no secret for you? Well, that's what you think... join us and develop the most challenging product of your life!" According to Qualcomm, qualified candidates will be well versed in Agile software development and experienced in application or game creation, with software already deployed via Apple's App Store. Qualcomm adds the position will emphasize iPhone software design and development, but the company expects the new hire to "contribute to all aspects of the product development including Android, web development, server side development and operation aspects." Qualcomm did not respond to a request for further clarification on the posting prior to press time.

Qualcomm presently supports Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows Phone operating systems--its own Brew MP promises smartphone functionality across multiple device tiers, enabling application developers to leverage advanced capabilities like touchscreens, rich multimedia, window management and open platform extensibility on mass-market feature phones. This week, the firm announced the launch of the Qualcomm Services Lab, an effort to foster mobile software and services across segments including communication, information/entertainment, discovery, life automation and digital-to-physical--applications for the iPhone platform are already in the pipeline. "We are trying to create businesses around focus areas that we think are going to be big," Qualcomm Services Lab general manager Isaac Babbs told FierceMobileContent. "And we are trying to bring a Qualcomm uniqueness to it."

Rumors of a deal that would extend the iPhone to Verizon Wireless's CDMA-based network have persisted for years. Qualcomm is a key Verizon partner--this summer, the operator launched the Open Catalog initiative, promising Brew developers an enhanced and more simplified channel to market their applications to Verizon's 56 million feature phone subscribers.

For more on Qualcomm's iPhone developer search:
- read this AppleInsider article

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