Android edges Apple iPad as second-most-popular mobile development platform
Google's Android platform has narrowly overtaken the Apple iPad in terms of total developer support for mobile devices, though the iPhone remains the most popular software destination, according to a new report.
The new study, released Thursday by cross-platform mobile ad network Millennial Media and DigiDay, found that 30 percent of developers are currently creating content for the iPhone. In second is Android, with 23 percent, followed in third by the iPad with 21 percent.
Developers surveyed also indicated in the "State of the Apps Industry" report that they plan to support Android in 2011, with 29 percent saying Google's mobile operating system is the new platform they will embrace next year. Another 20 percent said they will expand to the iPad, and 20 percent also plan to write software for Windows Phone 7. A small percentage of developers -- 8 percent -- who are not currently writing for the iPhone will do so next year.
"We have seen significant cross-platform adoption in the past year and can expect to see continued growth and diversity in the coming year," said Mack McKelvey, senior vice president of marketing at Millennial Media.
Developers ranked the reach of a platform as their top consideration when choosing what they will develop for. Demographics were the second most important concern, followed by better branding, ease of use, and higher sales potential, respectively.
Publishers expect that applications will see significant growth in revenue in 2011. Of those surveyed, 31 percent said they believe they will see an increase of 100 percent or more in revenue next year, and another 34 percent expect their earnings to increase by at least 25 percent.
Last month, Millennial Media revealed that online ad revenue from the iPad grew 316 percent in the third quarter of 2010. In that same period, the total number of advertisers supporting Apple's touchscreen tablet increased by 94 percent.
The new study, released Thursday by cross-platform mobile ad network Millennial Media and DigiDay, found that 30 percent of developers are currently creating content for the iPhone. In second is Android, with 23 percent, followed in third by the iPad with 21 percent.
Developers surveyed also indicated in the "State of the Apps Industry" report that they plan to support Android in 2011, with 29 percent saying Google's mobile operating system is the new platform they will embrace next year. Another 20 percent said they will expand to the iPad, and 20 percent also plan to write software for Windows Phone 7. A small percentage of developers -- 8 percent -- who are not currently writing for the iPhone will do so next year.
"We have seen significant cross-platform adoption in the past year and can expect to see continued growth and diversity in the coming year," said Mack McKelvey, senior vice president of marketing at Millennial Media.
Developers ranked the reach of a platform as their top consideration when choosing what they will develop for. Demographics were the second most important concern, followed by better branding, ease of use, and higher sales potential, respectively.
Publishers expect that applications will see significant growth in revenue in 2011. Of those surveyed, 31 percent said they believe they will see an increase of 100 percent or more in revenue next year, and another 34 percent expect their earnings to increase by at least 25 percent.
Last month, Millennial Media revealed that online ad revenue from the iPad grew 316 percent in the third quarter of 2010. In that same period, the total number of advertisers supporting Apple's touchscreen tablet increased by 94 percent.
Comments
Do we break out figures for "netbook" developers vs. "laptop" developers?
haha
iOS (51%) is crushing Android (23%).
Since iPhone developers are by default iPad developers since the apps both run on the same OS, isn't this report a little skewed?
not really. the iPad is capable of running iPhone apps in a similar manner to how OS X used to run OS Classic apps.
Since iPhone developers are by default iPad developers since the apps both run on the same OS, isn't this report a little skewed?
And are developers only able to develop on one "platform"? Where do they register those who develop on multiple devices?
A pie chart is not the proper medium for this analysis.
not really. the iPad is capable of running iPhone apps in a similar manner to how OS X used to run OS Classic apps.
Very different manner from Classic, which involved some fairly lifting in software emulation. The iPad either runs the iPhone apps bone stock or scales them up to fit the screen.
Since iPhone developers are by default iPad developers since the apps both run on the same OS, isn't this report a little skewed?
I really hope iPhone developers don't just think they can stretch the content area out and it's suddenly an iPad app. While the coding is largely the same, the UI design is markedly different.
Arcade style games aside, iPad developers should concentrate on developing a "full-size" UI where the large screen is conducive to full size content areas, popup views, etc. that work on a larger screen. iPhone developers should concentrate on how the user can quickly access all of the apps content on a small screen - a lot more prioritizing and presentation of features is required.
Very different manner from Classic, which involved some fairly lifting in software emulation. The iPad either runs the iPhone apps bone stock or scales them up to fit the screen.
True enough, although it doesn't make the apps fit the screen, there is still a border in 2x mode. However, the point is still valid - running an iPhone app on the iPad is not making full use of the form factor of the device.
Which is to say 51% developing for iOS vs 23% for Android. At some point we're going to have to start talking about platforms instead of devices, or risk making no sense at all, particularly as Apple is even now converging their mobile OS across form factors.
Do we break out figures for "netbook" developers vs. "laptop" developers?
Did you miss Chart B? Showed a very different story.
not really. the iPad is capable of running iPhone apps in a similar manner to how OS X used to run OS Classic apps.
Actually, the iPad runs iPhone apps more like the way OS/2 v2.0 ran Windows 3.0 apps, well, except that the iPhone apps usually run ok on the iPad. But it feels equally frustrating. (Technically, there is little, or no, similarity, though.)
Very different manner from Classic, which involved some fairly lifting in software emulation. The iPad either runs the iPhone apps bone stock or scales them up to fit the screen.
However, it should also be noted that an iPad will use Retina Display graphics when in 2x mode when available, so most iPhone games these days when run at 2x look almost the same as a full-resolution iPad app and run at full speed as well. Very different from an emulation layer.
Also, when it comes to full-screen games it's fairly easy to add iPad support if you're already doing retina support from a developer's point of view.
Another stupid flamebait post essentially making things up for ad impressions.
iOS (51%) is crushing Android (23%).
Whoever made those pie charts should never be allowed to perform data anlaysis again. You can't simply add up the iPhone and iPad shares and assume they are mutually exclusive. Also, if you are calling the iPhone and iPad different platforms (since they are separated on the chart), then you shouldn't even be making comparisons between the iPad and Android, since Android is nearly entirely about phones (for now) not tablets.
This whole analysis assumes that developers will only develop for a single platform and that there is no overlap in development capabilities between platforms (like iPhone and iPad).
The entire analysis should be used as a case study on how NOT to perform analysis.
At work, I don't know anyone who has an Android phone, yet I counted 37 that have an iPhone.
I attend San Jose Sharks hockey games--I am a season ticket holder, in fact. While in my seat, during a stoppage in play and intermissions, people usually whip out their phones--I know because I can look down and over their shoulders. Again, I see about 20 iPhones, a Symbian phone here and there, and the occasional RAZR.
Am I missing something here? Who has an Android phone?
And why is it platform vs. device here? iPad, iPhone vs Android!? Shouldn't it be iOS vs. Android. There are still new devices being released with Android 1.6. A developer will have to target which Android version to develop for. If they opt for 2.2, then their app won't run on some of these new devices. And if you say, they can create an app that tests which version of the OS is running, then this is also true for iPhone and iPad, as there are currently apps that can run on both devices.
This report makes no sense what-so-ever.
I work and live in Silicon Valley and I see about 20 iPhones for every Android phone.
At work, I don't know anyone who has an Android phone, yet I counted 37 that have an iPhone.
I attend San Jose Sharks hockey games--I am a season ticket holder, in fact. While in my seat, during a stoppage in play and intermissions, people usually whip out their phones--I know because I can look down and over their shoulders. Again, I see about 20 iPhones, a Symbian phone here and there, and the occasional RAZR.
Am I missing something here? Who has an Android phone?
Nope, you're not missing something here... and "who has an Android"? Apparently people who are embarrassed to show them off in public.