In the gold rush that is the App Store, it's easy to forget that there are plenty of other viable mobile markets ranging from Java to BlackBerry.

Android might not yet have had the impact expected at the start of 2009, but it's still building momentum, and there are companies preparing for it to takeoff.

One such is Holland9, an Amsterdam studio set up specifically to target Android development.

Recently it's hit the headlines with a deal to convert Miniclip Flash games to Android, so it’s a good time to get CEO and founder Jorik Bremer's views on why he think the platform has such potential.

Pocket Gamer: Why did you set up Holland9 for Android?

Jorik Bremer: For a startup company like Holland9 focus is very important. As open source software Android offers us the advantage to customise our platform and services for all kinds of companies from, publishers to telecom companies and big brands.

I believe Android will see considerable growth in the coming period. Research from Strategy Analytics has shown that Android smartphone shipments will grow an impressive 900 percent annually during 2009.

I also think 2010 will be Android's tipping point.

With the Miniclip deal, do you have to deal with games individually or can you automate the process?

Miniclip is the launch customer for our Flash to Android product. At first we experimented converting games using a tailor-made engine but this did not work. That left us with two options, using the Native Development Kit or OpenGL for conversion. We choose the latter.

We have successfully created a process for game flow, OpenGL linking with Android, and some specific things like frames per second and touchscreen behaviour. This process enables us to convert many more Flash games in a highly effective manner.

Fragmentation is going to be issue for Android so how do you plan to deal with this?

Android is open source and thus offers anybody with creative ideas the chance to start developing. I think we will see all kinds of new devices using Android, not only mobile phones.

The big advantage is that a lot of coding can be replicated from other applications or devices and the market will continue to grow. We will seek interesting niche products and growing markets which offer us commercial opportunities.

From your conversations with clients, what is their attitude to Android?

The platform offers cost advantages and has a huge potential. Of course, I have read concerns from companies about slow adaptation and compatibility issues with upgraded Android versions. However I think the Open Handset Alliance will learn and deal with these matters.

What changes would you like to see from Google in terms of improving the Android experience??

The new Android 1.6 has considerable improvements in the Market. It shows developers' comments do reach the Android development team. Keeping Android open as much as possible will safeguard further adaptation of the platform.

Thanks for Jorik for his time.

You can keep up to date with Holland9 via its website.