The recent acquisition of Nokia (NYSE:NOK) by Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) may not do a lot to help the world's largest software company attract more users to Windows Phone apps, according to a recent study by Embarcadero.
- 83 percent of Windows developers surveyed said Android was the most requested mobile platform among their users. This was followed by iOS at 67 percent, while Windows Phone trailed at 33 percent.
- 57 percent said they were concerned about the new skills needed to develop mobile apps, while 56 percent worried about testing complexity with multiple platforms.
- 85 percent said native apps deliver a better user experience and performance over scripted/interpreted language apps.
- Only 17 percent believe they can deliver mobile apps on two or more platforms.
- 86 percent said user expectations for mobile apps are high.
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Research from Embarcadero shows Android is the most important platform for users to have applications for. Source: Embarcadero |
"Windows developers clearly see the need to bring their deep experience with application development to mobile applications," said Diane Hagglund, senior researcher at Dimensional Research, in the Embarcadero press release. "Today's development options either limit the end user or result in costly and complex native development across multiple platforms."
Embarcadero makes tools for Windows developers, so in part this study helps support the idea that those developers need assistance in making the transition to mobile. But independent consumer app developers could also use it as a way of demonstrating the impact personal devices have had on the desires and expectations of their target market. If traditional Windows developers are being told they need to think about Android first, it suggests that even the combination of Nokia and Microsoft may do little to prop up support for Windows Phone apps.
For more:
- access the complete Embarcadero report here (sub. req.)
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