iPhone News Updated

Survey: 53% mobile app developers target iPhone

Survey: 53% mobile app developers target iPhone

More than half of mobile application developers this year are building programs for Apple Inc.’s iPhone, a dramatic shift from 2009, according to a recent survey from Austin-based iGR.

The survey asked industry respondents a series of questions related to platforms for which they are currently developing and those they intend to develop in the next 12 months. The report found about 53 percent are building applications for Cupertino-based Apple’s (Nasdaq:AAPL) iPhones, followed by RIM BlackBerry OS, Android and Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5, according to the news release.

The company said the findings greatly contrast with last year’s survey when Windows Mobile was by far the most popular. Developers increasingly reported developing for multiple platforms, with most developing for three or more during the next 12 months.

Programmers that plan to expand into a new field, most often said they will start developing apps for Mountain View-based Google Inc.’s (Nasdaq:GOOG) Android and BlackBerry OS. When asked to name the most important factor in expanding to a platform, more than half cited multi-touch capabilities.

“With each new feature and capability added to smartphone OSes, competition in the space continues to heat up,” Matthew Vartabedian, iGR research vice president. “Providing a solid developer experience and the ability for developers to generate revenue and profits off of the platforms is a key aspect of that competition.”

IGR, formerly iGillottResearch Inc., is a market strategy consulting firm that focuses on the wireless and mobile communications industries. It was founded in 2000 by Iain Gillottt.

Apple has an 1,800-employee campus in Elk Grove, which includes a call-center and shipping operations.

[Thanks: http://www.bizjournals.com]

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