Developers are replacing a “lost enthusiasm for developing smartphone apps” with a “new passion for tablets,” according to a survey by Strategy Analytics.

The company said that the percentage of developers primarily supporting tablets has increased to 36 percent from 13 percent last year, as developers feel the market offers more of an upside than smartphone development.

It noted that “tablets currently have less competition due to fewer optimised apps, a broader range of monetisation options and a more captive app audience.”

According to the company, the launch of Windows 8 and BlackBerry 10 will see Microsoft and RIM seeking to take advantage of the shift, by enabling developers to easily create products across tablet and smartphone devices.

It said that “if implemented correctly, this approach will increase platform importance – especially among platform sceptics.”

Josh Martin, director of apps research at Strategy Analytics, commented: “Since the phone apps ecosystem has matured, it is becoming increasingly difficult for smaller, niche developers to compete. Tablets present the future.”