App developers are rapidly losing interest in RIM's BlackBerry platform and setting their sights on the new big three, Apple, Android and Windows 7, a survey has found.
The 2,160 respondents to the latest Appcelerator/IDC survey show that Apple and Google's Android are still the top platforms, but within that predictable picture some interesting points emerge.
Ninety-one percent of developers described themselves as "very interested" in the iPhone, 88 percent in the iPad, and 83 percent in Android as a whole.
The BlackBerry has now sunk to 21 percent interest levels, well behind possible future giant Windows Phone 7 on 38 percent, which appears to have been buoyed by Microsoft's deal with handset maker Nokia and the arrival of the Lumia smartphone. The PlayBook in particular is an area of dwindling interest with only 13 percent highly motivated to continue developing for the tablet.
While developers see Android's fragmentation as a turn-off, the arrival of low-cost devices such as Amazon's Fire has spurred interest with 49 percent "very interested", one point ahead of the number feeling the same way about Samsung's Galaxy Tablet.
The slow but steady rise of interest in Windows Phone 7 throws out an obvious challenge to the fast-fading BlackBerry but also, reading between the lines, to the apparently-impregnable Android too.
Developers appear to like the stability of the Microsoft-Nokia axis despite being intrigued by Android's creative chaos in which new types of device such as Amazon's e-Reader can appear unexpectedly.
One surprising loser is Internet-based TV, with both Apple and Google's platforms showing marked drops in interest levels year-on-year, a reflection of the technology's immaturity.
"Both Apple TV and Google TV remain very low priorities for businesses that are increasingly facing more and more demand from customers seeking an ever-wider array of smartphone and tablets," note the authors.
With Adobe's Flash reaching heading for the exit, sixty-six percent of developers expressed enthusiasm for using HTML5 in new mobile sites.
Comments
Matt Egan said: Thing is regardless of what should be the primary consideration businesses have to understand what is important to users and then manage the risk
Scott Grainger said: Matt ahhh such commonsense -- take a bow I wont be alone in having friends who enthuse over their new Android phones and who ask questions like these whats the best screen protector what dyou reckon -- a gel case or a hard case any ideas where I can get an in-car mount for thisEtc etc All the above testify to the priorities envisaged by the user And all of em are wrong because security not cosmetics must surely be the first consideration -- as you say bricking tracking wipingS funny but despite me recommending AVGs freeware Mobilation app for Android to a particular friend at least three weeks ago he still hasnt got around to installing and setting it up -- too busy trying to sort out a case which will make his phone look really good Especially when its in the hands of a thiefI dunno Some folks though Methinks Ill forward on your comment above as a gentle reminder so thanks againScott
Matt Egan said: Interesting All of your comments With regard to phones got business id say only this BlackBerry and Windows phones are clearly the only options if you want to be able to lock down and remotely administer a fleet of business phones But I fear that ship has sailed PC Advisor is currently an iPhone shop but everyday lots of staff bring through the door Android phones and tablets The biggest security risk in any organisation is the end user and the biggest hole is the fact that a lost or stolen phone offers up access to email All you do is educate staff to the dangers make sure all mobile devices can be remotely bricked tracked and wiped - all good Android security software will do this - and instigate robust email security Oh then cross your fingers
Scott Grainger said: And I completely agree with you Tony -- Android by virtue of the way it has structurally developed or er not structurally developed wouldnt hack it for me for corporate use On which basis Id certainly be watching Microsofts progress quite closely
Tony Kid said: I could probably agree with you if I wanted a phone for social domestic pleasure But for business I want security reliability and full control not multiple mickey mouse bastardisations of an OS For my business modernisation in 2012 I am considering both Apple and Microsoft whichever is chosen must integrate and be fully compatible and I am afraid Android is far too much of a gamble to consider But I can not disagree with you for personal use and play then android is excellent telephone
Scott Grainger said: One of the best comments Ive ever read on any PCA news item -- thanks Maccyroo Yup Im a Windows PC owner but an Android smartphone user too and that split between the two works perfectly for me because no consumer is ever going to knowingly commit to a monopoly I wish Microsoft well though am unimpressed with its latest OS but the notion that Redmond and Nokia represent any kind of threat to a growing and diverse Android market sector is ahem even more theatrical than your average Apple product launch
Maccyroo said: How fickle app developers can be Blackberry certainly seems to have a mountain to climb based on those quoted figures but at the end of the day it is the consumers that may have the biggest vote Although app developers may be interested in Windows Smartphonedevelopment I do not believe the public are turned on at all by Redmonds plans The Windows Smartphone may well appeal to businesses that like as little technological fragmentation as possible and alsothe appeal of unity and compatibility with their in situ corporate computer framework But this could be Microsofts main and even only market for the new Windows phonesConsumers may be happy to use a Windows laptop andor desktop at home but how many want it on their phones or tablets too I love my custom built windows machine to death but that doesnt mean I want it running my Smartphone too The stuff I do on my droid is very different to what I use my powerful desktop PC for Maybe Microsoft believes their own hype about Windows 8 bringing unity between the desktop and mobile markets but what about everyone else Many technology hacks have already made the obvious comments that in reality Windows 8 is just an improved version of Windows 7 that most people are now happy with after the Vista debacle with the Metro UI based on current windows Smartphone touch screen technology bolted on It is neither a traditional desktop nor a mobile touch screen system but an attempt at ameldingof bothThe phrase jack of all trades but master of none springs to mindDoes anyone at PC Advisor really believe atthis moment that ios and android are at all threatened by Metro I dont believe they are and by trying to beall things to everyone Microsoft is at seriousrisk of ending up with severe facial omelette related problemsRemember that the Beast of Redmond sort ofinvented the tablet or PDAyears before the ipad was a gleam in Mr Jobs eye No one wanted it then or rather no one wanted a handheld tablet device that ran Windows and maybe things are still that way Although times are a changing I dont think Microsoft can expect to jump on the consumer mobile technologybandwagon with their current portfolio of operating systems and either entice new consumers to take a bite of the mobiletablet market or cause mass defections from ios or Android