Google’s Android is set to overtake Apple’s iOS as the favorite platform of developers by the end of the year.

According to a survey by research firm Ovum, that’s changing in the Asian market, where developers are shifting their focus onto Android at an alarming rate. Its second annual developer survey points out that most developers support both operating systems, though. In its report Ovum clarified that Android’s growth would be indicative of a wider growth of developer interest in alternative operating systems.

While Apple’s iOS and Android have long been the favorites, Ovum said there is growing developer interest in both Windows Phone and BlackBerry operating systems. “The growing momentum behind Windows Phone indicates that Microsoft has managed to convince developers that its platform is worthy of investment; its challenge now is to persuade consumers,” said Ovum analyst Adam Leach.

The research also shows a move away from traditional cross-platform mobile application development approaches (e.g. Java, Flash, WAP). Instead, developers are focusing their efforts on web-based standards (e.g. HTML5), which seem to be the preferred approach to building cross-platform applications.

Via – c|net News