Android will replace Apple’s iOS in terms of importance to developers within the next 12 months, according to a survey conducted by analyst firm Ovum.

Although the company said that these platforms “vie for ultimate supremacy,” it was noted that almost all developers support both. And while these platforms form the core of developer support, there is also growing interest from developers in BlackBerry OS and Windows Phone.

“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 Adam Leach, devices & platforms practice leader at Ovum.

Ovum said that its poll also mirrored changes in the wider smartphone market, with developers “quick to respond to the exit of once-important smartphone platforms” including Windows Mobile, Symbian OS and WebOS.

Also falling from favour are “traditional” cross-platform mobile app development approaches (Java, Flash and WAP), with developers switching their attention to web-based standards such as HTML5.