Coders favor iOS over OS X
Of the 45 developers surveyed, all said they wrote iPhone and iPod touch apps, and 93 percent said they also coded for the iPad, according to Fortune. Only 7 percent said the also wrote Mac apps, down from 50 percent in 2008.
47 percent of those surveyed said they also build apps for Google’s Android OS platform, 36 percent also code for RIM’s BlackBerry, 13 percent code for Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7, and 7 percent are coding for HP’s WebOS.
While developers may code for multiple platforms, they don’t seem to place them all on equal footing. All of the respondents said that Apple’s iOS is the easiest to develop for and offers the best monetization potential. 51 percent also said that iOS has the best potential for growth.
Apple hosts its World Wide Developers Conference every spring in San Francisco. The event gives iOS and OS X developers early access to upcoming OS releases as well as face time with Apple’s own engineers.
Mr. Munster’s survey results show developer interest in iOS is hight, but shouldn’t be seen as a sign that they aren’t going to be producing any more Mac apps. The study included 45 developers out of the more than 5,000 at the event, and the Mac’s growing popularity means plenty of coders will still be interested in the platform.
Apple is currently trading at US$327.42, up 0.40 (0.12%).