A recent survey conducted by IDC and Appcelerator about the mobile device market reveals some very

interesting facts and opinions, please note this is not about devices shipped but about Apps developers
interest as Mobile OS platforms:

1. Today: Apple iOS leads the way as the platform of choice for Apps developers, followed by
Android, and others rivals are far away that order: RIM Blackberry, Windows Phone7, WebOS,
Symbian

2. 88% believe that Apple offers the best app store

3. 74% feel that iOS is the least fragmented platform
4. Being an open platform is an advantage for Google Android vs Apple iOS (however being Open
does seem to be such an advantage for Symbian!)
5. Despite being presently the leader in shipping smart-phone units, Symbian OS generate very low
interest for developers.
6. It is also interesting to note the tight link between the Smartphone and Tablet OS perception
and results for a same vendor.
7. Recently: During the last six months, developer support for Android and iOS iPhone has been
relatively stable, while interest in iOS iPAD has grown sharply, BlackBerry & Windows Phone 7
are recessing, Symbian is lagging.
 8. Tomorrow: Android appears as the OS with the best potential and is “best positioned to power a
large number and variety of connected devices in the future,”
9. Android is also leading the way beyond mobile smart-phones and tablets (i.e. home
entertainment platform, Connected TV). See chart “Windows of opportunity”.

A recent study from Zokem shows Android clearly leading the way with 42 minutes per day spent (or
face time) on “add-on apps” as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Skype etc Please note Apple iOS was not
part of the survey and user still spend more time on core apps than add on apps.

Most demanded APIs

Based on IDC/Appcelerator study:

 For Social Networks: Integration of mobile apps with Facebook is THE key priority (65%) ,
followed by Twitter (60%), way ahead of Foursquare (22%).
 For Mobile Advertising: Apple iAd is dominant followed by Google AdMob (36%)
 For Mobile payment: Apple iOS (49%) and Paypal (48%) payment are most supported as mobile
commerce enablers.
 Other trends: Geo Location based services are more demanded than Google Maps, and push
notifications more than mobile web browsing.
In conclusion, based on developers feedback and on the way mobile device market is evolving, I see
clearly Android winning the mobile OS market.

However Apple iOS will remain strong, thanks to its loyal “fans” base and its innovative spirit, and RIM
will survive, thanks to its enterprise customer base and technology driven culture. Symbian will be out of
the race –except if took-over by a manufacturer as Nokia-, and others players as Microsoft, MeGoo,
Kindle etc, and others Linux OS will have a hard time grabbing any significant market-share.

There is no room for more than 3 mobile OS on a mature market.

http://marcomnext.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/who-is-going-to-win-the-mobile-os-battle/