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Apple's iOS takes 'dramatic lead' over Android in enterprise apps

 

For developers, Android is becoming more of a consumer-oriented platform, while iOS has taken the lead in business, according to a new survey.

The findings from a joint survey of more than 3,500 Appcelerator developers from around the world were announced on Tuesday in conjunction with International Data Corporation. The full report highlights changing dynamics in the enterprise mobile application development space, where Apple's iOS has opened up a 16 point lead over Google's Android among developers who think the iPhone and iPad will win out in business.

"The big news is that Apple's iOS took a dramatic lead over Google's Android in the enterprise app space," said Scott Ellison, vice president, Mobile and Connected Consumer Platforms at IDC. "For developers, Android appears to be evolving more towards a consumer play, which in turn provides a key competitive opening for Microsoft in the enterprise mobile app space."

The survey found that 53.2 percent of developers say they believe iOS will win out in the enterprise, compared with 37.3 percent of developers backing Android. The poll shows a major shift from the third quarter of 2011, when developers viewed iOS and Android in a dead heat, with 44 percent saying each would win out.

Appcelerator and IDC said on Tuesday they believe the shift is attributed to the growing strength of Apple in the enterprise. Specific reasons cited were corporate adoption of the iPad, regular reporting of malware on Android, and challenges in the enterprise associated with Android fragmentation.

The bright spot for Android in the report is that interest labels appear to have stabilized, and are no longer dropping in favor of Apple's iOS platform.

The survey also found that enterprise-focused developers are "cautiously optimistic about Windows 8 tablets. Developers are said to find Microsoft's Metro user interface found on Windows 8 and Windows Phone to be particularly compelling.