SAN FRANCISCO Dow Jones–Apple Inc.’s AAPL recent decision to more tightly control programs sold through its popular App Store may push developers towards archrival Google Inc. GOOG, a move that could give the Internet giant momentum as it stakes its place in the smartphone market.Last week, Apple started removing sexually suggestive and risque programs, even though it had previously approved them. Since Thursday, roughly 6,000 apps, about 3%, have been deleted from the App Store, according to the App Shopper Web site, which tracks the online store’s sales.Apple’s decision has roiled the broader community of app writers, who are concerned the consumer electronics giant’s abrupt policy changes could jeopardize their revenue. Some are now considering whether to diversify their businesses by writing apps for Android, a Google-developed mobile phone operating system that is catching on.

Read on via 2nd UPDATE: Apple’s Ban On Risque Apps Helping Google – WSJ.com.