Ovum, the technology analytics company, just released the Developer Insights 2011: Trends in Mobile Application Development report which states that Android is overtaking iOS as the favorite platform of developers by the end of the year.

Adam Leach, Ovum’s Devices and Platforms Practice leader and author of the report stated that, “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.”

“A smartphone platform’s success is dictated not only by the pull of consumers and the push of handset vendors and mobile operators but also by a healthy economy of applications delivered by third-party developers. Therefore, it is important for all players in the smartphone ecosystem to understand the choices developers are making today and the downstream impact of those choices.”

Nokia, Windows Phone on the rise

Aside from Android overtaking iOS, the report also noted that Nokia’s deal with Microsoft to use the Windows Phone OS in some of their new handsets would boost interest in that platform as well.  If you remember last year, Microsoft’s Senior Director of Windows Phone 7 Brandon Watson,  offered free phones, dev tools, and training and other resources to webOS developers, encouraging them to jump ship–a move that quickly caught the interest of webOS developers.  This was only one promotion of many used by Microsoft to lure developers to its camp, so it isn’t too surprising that Windows Phone is spreading its reach for interest amongst app makers.

Business sector still prefers iOS

Though the Android platform is gaining popularity among app developers, businesses still choose iOS for use in their companies.  According to a report by Check Point, global provider of IT security solutions, participants of their survey reported that 30% use Apple iOS devices, 29% use BlackBerry and only 21% use Android devices because the platform is deemed too risky for corporate use.