A developer survey conducted by independent app store GetJar found that while support for the iOS platform remains strong, “the Android army is catching on fast.”

According to the poll, 80 percent of respondents stated that they are developing for iOS for iPhone/iPod Touch today, which declines to 55.6 percent who are planning to develop for this platform in six months time. The same trend is seen in iOS for tablets, which sees developer backing decreasing from 59 percent to 52 percent.

In contrast, Android for smartphone currently has 51.2 percent support, which will increase to 58 percent six months from now. And Android for tablets currently has 20.5 percent, which will more than double to 47 percent.

Looking forward, Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 platform is set to be more popular with developers than web apps, BlackBerry for smartphones and tablets, and HP’s webOS.  Some 24 percent of developers intend developing for the MS platform in the future, compared to less than 9 percent today. While that is still less than half of the interest in Android, GetJar said that “given Windows’ small base it looks like there is some optimism for the Nokia/Windows alliance.”

Unsurprisingly, the survey noted a continued fall in support for Symbian OS, with less than 7 percent of developers stating they will be supporting the platform in six months time. Fewer than 20 percent of developers think the OS will be around in “the next couple of years.”

RIM’s BlackBerry OS also faces challenges, with less than 15 percent of developers interested in developing for the platform in the next six months. Less than half of the developers believe the platform will survive the next five years.

GetJar said that app distribution remains “fairly concentrated,” with nearly 80 percent of developers surveyed using Apple’s App Store. Less than half of developers (44.4 percent) are using Android Market, although this will rise to “nearly” 70 percent of developers in the next six months.

While Android Market seems to be the main beneficiary moving forward, the company also said that “interest in independent channels also seems to be on the rise in the Android ecosystem.” Interest in distributing via GetJar increased from 11 percent to 16 percent, while interest in Amazon’s App Store increased from 23 percent to 34 percent.