According to an Appcelerator/IDC report published today, mobile developers have a growing interest in developing for Google’s (GOOG) Android, even over Apple’s (AAPL) iOS platform. The interest is likely related, at least in part, to Android’s exploding market share.

72% of developers say Android “is best positioned to power a large number and variety of connected devices in the future,” compared to 25% for iOS. As we’ll show in more detail, this begins to explain why 59% of developers now favor Android’s long-term outlook, vs. 35% for iOS.

Interestingly, while the future is bright for Android in the Mobile space, the present still belongs to Apple…

Apple’s App Store and hardware simplicity sets iOS apart, but developers enjoy the openness of the Android platform:

And while Android and iOS are both clear leaders, there is some developer interest in other categories.

The long-term trends toward Android aren’t just in mobile. Developers are also more interested in Android as a TV platform vs. the AppleTV platform.

Developers are also showing enthusiasm for connected TVs, with 44% saying they are ‘very interested’ in developing for Google TV vs. 40% for Apple TV. Explains Scott Ellison, VP Mobile & Wireless, IDC, “Apps are poised to help remake the television viewing experience just as they have remade the mobile experience. Television needs new and more effective ways to create immersive experiences, engage audiences with advertisers, integrate social networks, and drive viewership of original broadcasts” he added, “The television players who most effectively integrate app developers into their connected TV strategies are poised to potentially remake the television experience as we know it.”

Apple hasn’t even announced that Apps will be available on their TV platform directly, whereas Google has already demonstrated Android apps running on GoogleTV in May.

The full report is available here.