Apple often gets a lot of stick for the perceived ‘race to the bottom’ regarding App Store prices. Many developers feel compelled to reduce app prices to 99 cents or 59p, in order to compete—especially when it comes to games. However, it appears things on Android are even more grim, with Distimo’s latest app stores report stating over half of Android apps are free (TechCrunch).

Interestingly, while the Android Market is available in 46 countries, only 13 of them can download paid apps, and only nine enable devs to distribute them. While Google advocates and promotes the ‘free’ economy, it’s worth remembering that the company sits on a cash mountain of billions made from advertising. Developers do not—they need to eat, and they can’t eat ‘free’.

Therefore, here’s hoping Android swings more towards the balance seen in Apple’s App Store, and that both then manage to convince people that a few bucks for an app or game (as opposed to free or 99 cents/59p) isn’t actually a huge rip-off.