Developers try to keep up with the demand for smartphones and apps based on Google Android operating system, by hiring new programmers and releasing updated versions of the software.

According to the Smartcompany report, Domino's Pizza has jumped into the band wagon by launching the Android version of its popular app. With this move, the popular pizza chain hopes to receive more than 25% of its orders from mobile devices.

Chief executive officer, Don Meji, said in a statement to Computerworld, that the company had invested on the Android operating system. It has also included features, such as a GPS location service for pick-up orders, a widget for customers to receive meal offers and pizza tracker updates. Using Android's status bar, the app provides live updates of an order's progress. The GPS location function allows customers to locate their nearest store for pick-up orders. The optional home-screen widget allows users to receive offers without having to launch the app.

Supermarket giant Woolworths has risen to the occasion after receiving calls for the Android version of its popular app. The company has witnessed its iPhone app downloaded more than 670,000 times in the past month. After receiving calls through social media outlets, the company released an Android version of its app last week.

Lookout Mobile managing director Daniel Kagan admits that the last year the company did not see that much demand for the Android platform. That's why it has not considered hiring a developer, until now.

"There is definitely more demand for Android development. It just used to be iOS, but now it's more Android. We just got so many emails asking where the Android versions are."

"It's taken time to develop a full-scale Android platform, and that's going to help with some commercial opportunities we have coming up."

Software makers around the world have been releasing apps on different platforms at the same time. Developers now offer iOS, Android and possibly even Windows versions of apps, said the Smartcompany report.

According to Kagan Android-based phones offered by telcos have been in demand. "It's changed in the last three months. It's an obvious shift in the market," he said.

"I think there are just so many handsets now, and it's cheaper. With our numbers as well, I'm seeing a dramatic rise in the number of Android downloads, so it's proof there are more Android handsets out there now than there was before."

Mogeneration chief executive Keith Ahern affirmed the shift towards the Android platform when it comes to smartphones.

"With regard to phones, they have reached a critical mass now and we definitely see an interest. It was a vocal minority at first, but now there are genuine numbers behind it."

On the other hand, Ahern said that iPad still dominates the tablet market. He adds that the scenario is not likely to change at any time.

"In tablet land, it's just not happening. There are a very small number of devices out, and I think the market situation there is quite different. The interesting thing to consider is whether it will happen the same way it has with phones. People want a phone, so they go to the big telcos and get a plan with a lot choice. They don't have the same situation with tablets."