Strategy Analytics App Developer Survey: The iPad Remains Magical as Apple Positions for the Future; iPad is the most successful platform for enticing developers from other operating systems

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to the App Ecosystem Opportunities report, “Developer Survey Says: We Believe in Windows Phone and the iPad,” from Strategy Analytics, Apple’s early lead in the smartphone space, massive credit card base, addition of the iPad and strong support for virtual good sales, will help maintain developer interest in iOS. Creating compelling business models is essential for Apple, since the rapid growth in Android devices is forcing developers to choose one primary platform for building apps.

“Developer Survey Says: We Believe in Windows Phone and the iPad”

The iPhone is losing momentum due to the tsunami of compelling smartphones from Samsung, HTC and LG, which are stocked by operators looking for an alternative to Apple. Despite that, the iPad remains unique in its ability to entice app developers. Even though the iPad lost 17 percent of developers between last year and this, more than half of those defectors have stated that they would return to developing for the iPad in the coming year. No other platform commands such loyalty.

The iPad surely benefits from both Apple’s ability to sell premium apps and the Apple lead in virtual good sales. As such, more than 30 percent of iPhone and iPad developers expect to leverage in-app virtual goods as a revenue source over the next year – more than any other platform. With virtual goods playing an increasingly critical role in applications development, growth of the Windows Phone, which lacks such offerings, could suffer.

According to Josh Martin, Director of Apps Research at Strategy Analytics, “Virtual goods will be a key decision factor for developers, who realistically must choose where to focus their efforts beyond the obvious choice of either the Apple or Android operating system. Companies such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble, which are locked in a battle for developers, have yet to take advantage of the virtual goods opportunity.”

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Strategy Analytics, Inc. provides timely and actionable market intelligence focused on opportunities and disruptive forces in the areas of Automotive Electronics and Entertainment, Broadband Connected Home, Mobile & Wireless Intelligent Systems and Virtual Worlds. www.strategyanalytics.com/