iTunes Australia Arrives

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Ahead of schedule (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/10/20051019231122.shtml), iTunes now provides an Australia link in the iTunes Music Store.

Songs are being offered for $1.69 and videos for $3.39 (AUS). Rumors for iTunes Australia (http://www.macrumors.com/site.php?mode=search&term=australia&submit=Search+Site) have been long whispered. Cited reasons for the delay have included resistance from music labels (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/09/20050909100929.shtml). According to the most recent reports, Sony BMG has not (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/10/20051019231122.shtml) signed on to the iTunes Australia launch.

Official launch is expected on October 25th (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/10/20051019231122.shtml) at a media conference in Sydney.

[DeSnousa]

I think barneygumble should be praised for being the first one to post.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=1849238&posted=1#post1849238

[sfwalter]

Its about time!

[alexeismertin]

great now you can download:

kylie
danni
ac/dc
inxs
men at work

thats australian music for you

[ijimk]

CRIKE!' its a good day down under mate

Welcome Austrailia!

[Lacero]

Good for you my aussie friends. Looks like they figured out a way to pay their artists and labels and around the weird copyright laws.

[Sir]

;)

[wordmunger]

The big question now is, what nation will become the "most significant country not to have iTMS yet"? Let the whining begin!

[aricher]

Welcome Mates! Buy early, buy often - enjoy!

[ipacmm]

The big question now is, what nation will become the "most significant country not to have iTMS yet"? Let the whining begin!

Thats what I was just thinking.

[.:*Robot Boy*:.]

Before anyone asks/moans, there still doesn't appear to be a New Zealand iTMS... but maybe, hopefully, we'll see an iTMS NZ on the 25th.

[oskar]

That's good too know. It had been long enough for those of you waiting for the iTMS in Australia. :)

The big question now is, what nation will become the "most significant country not to have iTMS yet"? Let the whining begin!
Here's your answer. :rolleyes:
Before anyone asks/moans, there still doesn't appear to be a New Zealand iTMS

[Lacero]

The big question now is, what nation will become the "most significant country not to have iTMS yet"? Let the whining begin!
Russia, China and India. While we're at it, let's throw in Iraq, Iran, Syria and North Korea.

Well, after much thought, forget about Russia. They already have AllofMP3.com. :p

[.:*Robot Boy*:.]

Here's your answer. :rolleyes:

*Takes a bow* :D

[DeSnousa]

LOL, looks like there is a Russell Crowe playlist. :rolleyes: :p

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/com.apple.jingle.app.store.DirectAction/viewMix?id=75666610

[cazlar]

Yay, finally! At least they put us top of the list (well, until iTMS Armenia or Argentina arrives)...

[hyperpasta]

great now you can download:

kylie
danni
ac/dc
inxs
men at work

thats australian music for you

AC/DC in iTunes? Are you serious?

EDIT: I don't see it...?

[nagromme]

Welcome, Australia!

But in my day, we had updates on Tuesdays. And we liked it that way! There was none of this "new store on Monday" and "new Macs on Wednesday." And young folk respected their elders! And I wore an onion on my belt, as was the fashion at the time. I tell you, the world's gone straight to Hades in a mail sack.

[zv470]

iTMS works from New Zealand :)

[DeSnousa]

Welcome, Australia!

But in my day, we had updates on Tuesdays. And we liked it that way! There was none of this "new store on Monday" and "new Macs on Wednesday." And young folk respected their elders! And I wore an onion on my belt, as was the fashion at the time. I tell you, the world's gone straight to Hades in a mail sack.

It's Tuesday morning here in Australia, nearly 8 am to be precise :p

[musiclover137]

seriously, who votes this negative?

i can't understand some of the negative votes on here

[Lacero]

Seems you aussies love your Van Halen. :p

[jnicolso1]

Excellent since it has arrived I have already spent $20 dollars I can see this becoming expensive and habit forming
:o

[DeSnousa]

Excellent since it has arrived I have already spent $20 dollars I can see this becoming expensive and habit forming
:o

Lucky you, unfortunately I cannot purchase any thing as I don't have a credit card :(

[zap2]

good for Apple and people who now get iTunes


AC/AD!!! YES!!!

[Sabenth]

Took long enough now i got somthing to look foward to when i return back there

[ariza910]

wow Sony didnt want to sign?!

I wonder if this is a sign of things to come from SONY once the original contracts between the lables and iTunes Music Store in the US are up later this year.

Hey Sony! its not Apples fault your mp3 players suck

[appleguy]

iTMS works from New Zealand :)
What did you put in as your billing address.
It still says Australia

[johnji]

iTMS works from New Zealand :)

<Whine>: In what sense? Can't register a New Zealand credit card billing address so I'd hardly call that working :confused:

Of course the store is still yet to be officially launched today so perhaps NZ support is still to come...

</Whine>

[zap2]

Welcome, Australia!

But in my day, we had updates on Tuesdays. And we liked it that way! There was none of this "new store on Monday" and "new Macs on Wednesday." And young folk respected their elders! And I wore an onion on my belt, as was the fashion at the time. I tell you, the world's gone straight to Hades in a mail sack.


that made me smile!:)

what ever did happen to apple

muilt click mouse
breaking into media PC world
droppen FW
intel chips soon
and updates on Weds and Mons(for Music Store)
AT LEAST there not selling XP ( of wait the they are in VPC!!)

WHAT NEXT??

[Chacala_Nayarit]

Here's some whining for ya:

How about Mexico, Central America, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela?

I forgot, we pirate here. :D lol :p

[aspro]

Welcome, Australia!

But in my day, we had updates on Tuesdays. And we liked it that way! There was none of this "new store on Monday" and "new Macs on Wednesday." And young folk respected their elders! And I wore an onion on my belt, as was the fashion at the time. I tell you, the world's gone straight to Hades in a mail sack.

It's actually tuesday here, so not quite :)

[appleguy]

actually just speaking with my contacts with Renaissance (Apple's Represtive here in NZ, its still not totally legal for NZ to purchase music..

opps

[shidoshi]

The big question now is, what nation will become the "most significant country not to have iTMS yet"? Let the whining begin!

South Korea. Pretty decent music market. I'm not sure it is as big as Japan, but still a major market. I'd love a (legal) way to get me some K-pop.

[Sabenth]

at least its up and running now let the games begin

[appleguy]

you can register just select ACT as your State.
it works

[Sabenth]

last time i checked ACT was in oz not nz

[appleguy]

last time i checked ACT was in oz not nz
yeah I know.
But it works.

[fawlty]

yeah I know.
But it works.

But it's illegal:

AUSTRALIAN SALES ONLY
Purchases from the iTunes Music Store are available only in Australia. If you are not in Australia you may not use or attempt to use the service. iTunes may use technologies to verify such compliance.

[winmacguy]

Its about time!
iTMS NZ?

[SiliconAddict]

The big question now is, what nation will become the "most significant country not to have iTMS yet"? Let the whining begin!


China.....by far.

[Object-X]

Welcome to the party mate! :)

[AP_piano295]

But it's illegal:

AUSTRALIAN SALES ONLY
Purchases from the iTunes Music Store are available only in Australia. If you are not in Australia you may not use or attempt to use the service. iTunes may use technologies to verify such compliance.


So is lime wire COUGH COUGH I mean yeah you shouldnt do that man not cool. :rolleyes:

[jap4n]

iTMS works from New Zealand :)

do you mean, that it works with an Australian account - from NZ...?

or do you mean entering a NZ credit card works on the Australian iTMS?!

:D

fingers crossed!

[hungryjoe]

at last after so long and so many rumors!!!!

shame about Sony BMG though......

oh well :D :D :D :D

[sjw]

FINALLY!!!!

Can't wait for it to expand and to see more artists on there - not that I'm complaining :)

[mad jew]

I've got that overwhelmingly underwhelmed feeling. You know the sort, been complaining about not having iTMS for years now, been eagerly awaiting it's arrival and now that it's here I can't think of one good song to buy. That's 8:00AM creativity for you. :(

I think I need to go back to bed, wake up in an hour or so and find out about this all over again. Damn hangovers. :o

[Nermal]

I'll wait until the official announcement before I start complaining about lack of NZ support. Then I'll just choose NSW and buy stuff anyway :p

New Zealand customers should fill in the address details as per usual and put NSW in the State field and 2000 in the postcode field.

[appleguy]

I'll wait until the official announcement before I start complaining about lack of NZ support. Then I'll just choose NSW and buy stuff anyway :p
To right my brother lol

[aussie_geek]

Whoot!! Finally

Has anyone bought a song yet??

aussie_geek

[~Shard~]

Great news guys, I'm happy for ya! You deserve it after such a long wait! Prices don't seem outrageous either...

[idf]

Songs are being offered for $1.69

Hmmm... another iTMS cheaper than the UK :(

[cb911]

NICE!!! :D

it's really good to see alot of great Aussie music in there! good times! :D

[winmacguy]

iTMS works from New Zealand :)
Im going to register tonight:) (After work)

[jap4n]

Im going to register tonight:) (After work)

h'yeah! mee too!! :D

... but what to download?!

[zen]

I'll wait until the official announcement before I start complaining about lack of NZ support. Then I'll just choose NSW and buy stuff anyway :p
Yeah, that does work, but it makes me feel nervous. Assuming NZ doesn't get an iTMS (why would Australia and NZ be launched separately?), it won't be long before that fix that little loophole.

Zen

[manu chao]

South Korea?

[JW Pepper]

Turkey

[dontmatter]

Sony and apple are officially at war now.

you know who I'm rooting for, thought really, can't we all just live in peace?

:)

enjoy, aussie's.

[DJY]

... but what to download?!

WOOHOO!!!!
Account created...
I'm working from home today - which could prove very dangerous for my credit card... but I must admit - I am also in this dilemma...

what to download!?!?!?

Oh well - I think i might just grab a few songs to say I got some legally on the first day - and to help their stats...
Lots of people downloading might be a good way to stick it to Sony BMG!

[Nermal]

Yeah, that does work, but it makes me feel nervous. Assuming NZ doesn't get an iTMS (why would Australia and NZ be launched separately?), it won't be long before that fix that little loophole.

Zen

Back in April there was an NZ storefront. Maybe they'll activate it after the Australian store's been officially announced.

[jap4n]

Sony and apple are officially at war now.

you know who I'm rooting for, thought really, can't we all just live in peace?

:)

enjoy, aussie's.


why the war between sony and apple? Is it because Sony (music) wants to only sell music for Sony Music Store?

- well, if we all lived in peace (music industry) - the record companies might think something is wrong and jack the prices up!

hehe :)

[Nermal]

Something I just noticed is that the About Us page lists Apple Australia, rather than iTunes Luxembourg. Apple Australia owns itunes.com.au and itunes.co.nz. Begin speculation. :rolleyes:

Edit: The terms and conditions are dated 21/4/05!

But it's illegal:

(snip)

It's not illegal, Apple's terms and conditions are not the law.

[mad jew]

Back in April there was an NZ storefront. Maybe they'll activate it after the Australian store's been officially announced.


Makes you wonder why they provide a work-around though.

In other words, it's looking unlikely.

[Chundles]

Six Months in a Leaky Boat - Split Enz

Yeah, they're a Kiwi band but I may as well download something that I remember from my youth here in Aus whilst also supporting the idea of an iTMS NZ which may or may not come today.

[zen]

Something I just noticed is that the About Us page lists Apple Australia, rather than iTunes Luxembourg. Apple Australia owns itunes.com.au and itunes.co.nz. Begin speculation. :rolleyes:
Well, New Zealand doesn't have a proper Apple, does it? We just have Renaissance as a distributor. So anything like the iTMS will be run out of Australia.

Which begs the question - why isn't it a combined Australia/New Zealand store? Too many flag icons? If NZ gets official access, I imagine it will just link to the same store.

Having said that, to buy stuff like Quicktime Pro in NZ you need to go through the Australian Apple Store and enter Australia as your country, yet my credit card was charged correctly and the receipt turned up in the mail.

Bah. I'm still nervous! Have downloaded one track so far...

Zen

[MarcelV]

Again, Sony doesn't join the party. Seems to me they are trying to manipulate the popularity of the iPod thru music availability. And they are using pricing as their motive. But Sony songs on SonyConnect (or whatever the name is), and WMA based stores share the same pricing as iTunes and get similar royalties. So, if they don't agree to the same pricing thru iTunes and if they don't renew in the U.S., shouldn't that be a strong base for a lawsuit? Just wondering. But it looks to me Sony is playing a dangerous game here.

[pmppk]

WOOHOO!!!!
what to download!?!?!?


Ben Lee. Enough said.

[cazlar]

Press release: http://www.apple.com/au/pr/library/2005/oct/25itmsoz.html

From the press conference: http://www.apcmag.com/apc/v3.nsf/0/3FD9C1D67E002035CA2570A4007F0E3C

[Nermal]

Having said that, to buy stuff like Quicktime Pro in NZ you need to go through the Australian Apple Store and enter Australia as your country, yet my credit card was charged correctly and the receipt turned up in the mail.

Complete with Australian GST :eek:

[zen]

Press release: http://www.apple.com/au/pr/library/2005/oct/25itmsoz.html

From the press conference: http://www.apcmag.com/apc/v3.nsf/0/3FD9C1D67E002035CA2570A4007F0E3C
So that's it - it's all official then.

And no mention of New Zealand...

[joeyboy76]

The big question now is, what nation will become the "most significant country not to have iTMS yet"? Let the whining begin!

if we will base on the list of those countries considered as "first world", then singapore should be next, even though it's just a dot in the map

[sebaz]

I believe this covers all the places where Apple themselves sell their products, besides resellers correct?

So what's next for the iTms? Latin American Store? Argentina? One can hope..

[mikataur]

Anyone tried to assign their PayPal account to it yet, like you could with the US version?

I have a fair bit of money left over from eBay auctions and spending it through the iTMS would be good.

[Zoowatch]

congrats...
i look forward to more ITMS in other Asia-Pacific countries...

these are largely untapped markets with huge huge potentials....

don't think the chinese, HK, taiwanese are poor...

their purchasing power and interest in online music d/l is immense

[sluthy]

Trying to sign in and buy "Oh No, Not You Again" by Australian Crawl as my first song. :) Pricing not as exhorbitant as I first imagined, but still not really enough to convince me off retail for the most part.

And yes, I'm within the first 100 posts as I said!!

[aafuss1]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Ahead of schedule (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/10/20051019231122.shtml), iTunes now provides an Australia link in the iTunes Music Store.

Songs are being offered for $1.69 and videos for $3.39 (AUS). Rumors for iTunes Australia (http://www.macrumors.com/site.php?mode=search&term=australia&submit=Search+Site) have been long whispered. Cited reasons for the delay have included resistance from music labels (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/09/20050909100929.shtml). According to the most recent reports, Sony BMG has not (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/10/20051019231122.shtml) signed on to the iTunes Australia launch.

Official launch is expected on October 25th (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/10/20051019231122.shtml) at a media conference in Sydney.
No TV shows-maybe to do licensing issues

[aussiemac86]

AT LAST!!!!!!! (time to update sig.)

$1.69 is a pretty reasonable price i think, as soon as my credit card is set up i will be entering the world of legal music d/l

[icrew]

Lucky you, unfortunately I cannot purchase any thing as I don't have a credit card :(

Here in the US, you can purchase iTMS gift cards at retail shops (with cash or whatever) and then use that to purchase songs online. Don't know if such things are available down there.....

[DJY]

Tried buying the Jamie Cullum album for my Mum...
but it wouldn't go through...
kept getting errors...

First one said my Shopping Carts contents had changed... refresh
Then we could not complete your request... server not found.

When I isolated the problem it seems that they might be modifying some of the items in that album??

Might have to buy Ben Lee after all - just to get my first purchase up and running.

[d-fi]

I just signed up to the australia store,

Although i think i may have overlooked a few details in my haste to sign up. Like the tiny button about having a billing address outside of australia. Missed that... as well as the drop down box about my state think i just clicked the first selection on the drop down box. There may have been a word in bold beside "country:" that said AUSTRALIA; but again i was in a rush and may have missed that.

After signing up everything worked sweet i downloaded the Absenter single by jawbox (2 songs) with no worries. think i'll wait a bit before i get any more just to see what happens with this loop hole

But it does work! :)

[deanbo]

I just signed up to the australia store,

Although i think i may have overlooked a few details in my haste to sign up. Like the tiny button about having a billing address outside of australia. Missed that... as well as the drop down box about my state think i just clicked the first selection on the drop down box. There may have been a word in bold beside "country:" that said AUSTRALIA; but again i was in a rush and may have missed that.

After signing up everything worked sweet i downloaded the Absenter single by jawbox (2 songs) with no worries. think i'll wait a bit before i get any more just to see what happens with this loop hole

But it does work! :)

I did pretty much the same thing. To my way of thinking, Apple Australia is pretty much Apple NZ. (Where do you think all of our Apple stuff comes from?) So why should iTMS be any different.

[curmi]

No PayPal I'm afraid. VISA, MasterCard, American Express only.

[jap4n]

I did pretty much the same thing. To my way of thinking, Apple Australia is pretty much Apple NZ. (Where do you think all of our Apple stuff comes from?) So why should iTMS be any different.

renaissance might want a cut in the iTMS songs... just like when you buy hardware/software..

so, $1.69AU might end up being, +25c, +GST!

Hrmmm... $1.99NZ anyone?!

[appleguy]

renaissance might want a cut in the iTMS songs... just like when you buy hardware/software..

so, $1.69AU might end up being, +25c, +GST!

Hrmmm... $1.99NZ anyone?!

It might ahve nothing to do with Renaissance.
Apple may do it direct.
and that money Renaissance charge on top is to cover the costs to get it here
the advertising and paying of their staff.
And yes I did used to work for them

[Skareb]

AiTMS or Bearshare?

regarless of my imoral standing it's good news that the store has finally opened after so much speculation

Jordan

[k28]

Thailand?

[alst]

I just posted this on NZMac.com but feel compelled to repost it here...

Cmon...this is farcical,

NZ is clearly not supposed to be purchasing yet. This is a backdoor for buying, because they're obviously using the same e-commerce engine they use for QTpro purchases.

Sure we have the population of a state of Australia, but we are an entirely separate country. Apple (if we were supposed to be downloading) would be crowing from the trees about not one, but two countries coming on board.

I doubt they will close things down quickly, but honestly, how bloody ridiculous is this situation?

"Are we or aren't we....should I or shouldn't I...."

Maybe, just maybe we'll get some clarification today, but the NZ media will catch on to this in no time, and then Apple NZ (whoever they are) will be forced into a "please explain" session.

If bloody Coke Tunes, and Vodafone and Telecom and Digirama can sell music then what on earth is holding up "proper" NZ access to iTMS Australia...

Someone should give John Campbell a call, or David Russell, or that fella from Target...

[winmacguy]

iTMS works from New Zealand :)


"I can confirm that it is indeed possible to log in and purchase songs, with the same technique the Apple Australia asks Kiwi’s to do when ordering a serial number for QuickTime...listing NSW as the state and New Zealand as the city, although it is unclear if we are entitled to do this.":cool:


From NZMac website

[starwxrwx]

why don't you NZ lot just become the 7th state of Australia and be done with it already, instead of just piggy-backing off us all the time :) Why should iTMS AU have anything to do with NZ?

flame on!

Anyone think some albums at $34 is a little... STEEP?

[mad jew]

I can't wait for the first promotion now from companies giving away free tunes. Yay! :)

[zen]

Why should iTMS AU have anything to do with NZ?
But this is precisely what we in New Zealand are trying to figure out! If Apple NZ is run from Apple Australia, and nearly all music licencing for NZ is done out of Australia, why is there iTMS Australia but not New Zealand, and why can New Zealand access the Australian one using the "Quicktime Pro registration" loophole?

Zen

[jap4n]

why don't you NZ lot just become the 7th state of Australia and be done with it already, instead of just piggy-backing off us all the time :) Why should iTMS AU have anything to do with NZ?

flame on!


seriously, im thinking about moving to live in australia.. better deals on internets, apple, and pretty much everything else.. Plus better weather!

although, you guys have snakes... i'm with indiana on this one.. i hate snakes!

:)

[aafuss1]

Six Months in a Leaky Boat - Split Enz

Yeah, they're a Kiwi band but I may as well download something that I remember from my youth here in Aus whilst also supporting the idea of an iTMS NZ which may or may not come today.
The Split Enz and the recent Little Birdy cover are both there, as well as Mindless Self Indulgence (I love that Shut Me UJp video directed by Jhonen Vasquez) (no You'll Rebel to Anything, but a older album)


Box sets seem to cost $299.

[~Shard~]

Anyone think some albums at $34 is a little... STEEP?

Yikes, that does sound a bit on the high side...

[MM2270]

Congrats! Now you can start spending ridiculous amounts of cash on music on a whim just like the rest of us. You'd be surprised how fast it adds up! :p

[moot]

Anyone think some albums at $34 is a little... STEEP?

What do you Aussies usually pay for an album in the store?

wait, maybe that's a dumb question. Do people still buy music in stores nowadays:p

Or maybe I should say will people still buy music in stores now that ITMS is here.

[jap4n]

What do you Aussies usually pay for an album in the store?

wait, maybe that's a dumb question. Do people still buy music in stores nowadays:p

Or maybe I should say will people still buy music in stores now that ITMS is here.


In New Zealand its about $24.95-$34.95 for an album.
:( too much for my liking

[sluthy]

What do you Aussies usually pay for an album in the store?

wait, maybe that's a dumb question. Do people still buy music in stores nowadays:pUh, yeah, until about 3 hours ago, we did :D

New release albums are usually only ~$20 at department stores, but oldies and out of print ones at HMV and the like are $28-30.

[zen]

Renaissance (Apple NZ distributor/rip-off merchants) are claiming (when spoken to on the phone) that the iTMS Australia is just Australia, not New Zealand.

Which means the NZ access is a loophole which will be cut off ASAP.

So I'm off to email as many NZ newspapers and media sites that I know and tell them the full story, then Renaissance will be forced to front up and explain.

[appleguy]

Renaissance (Apple NZ distributor/rip-off merchants) are claiming (when spoken to on the phone) that the iTMS Australia is just Australia, not New Zealand.

Which means the NZ access is a loophole which will be cut off ASAP.

So I'm off to email as many NZ newspapers and media sites that I know and tell them the full story, then Renaissance will be forced to front up and explain.
This has nothing to do with Renaissance.

[jap4n]

hrmm.. it kinda sounds like NZ prolly wont ever get iTMS unless someone takes care of it here (strikes a deal with apple). Because there is no such Apple NZ... and Renaissance is a distributor and arent really to blame for no iTMS.NZ?

dang... so who do we have to ask/beg/whinge to get our music store?

edit: just dont say Vodafone please... ;)

[winmacguy]

Renaissance (Apple NZ distributor/rip-off merchants) are claiming (when spoken to on the phone) that the iTMS Australia is just Australia, not New Zealand.

Which means the NZ access is a loophole which will be cut off ASAP.

So I'm off to email as many NZ newspapers and media sites that I know and tell them the full story, then Renaissance will be forced to front up and explain.
Buy Up quick guys I think the plug is going to get pulled very soon!!!!!!;) I just heard a little birdy on the grapevine!!!

[autrefois]

Congrats to Australia!!!! Welcome to the world of the iTunes Music Store.

[zen]

This has nothing to do with Renaissance.
Well no, but as Apple's official New Zealand representative, you'd think they had some clout, even if it is just passed on from Apple Australia.

[ezekielrage_99]

Well it's about time we got iTunes.....

I know what I'll be doing tonight :D

[appleguy]

Well no, but as Apple's official New Zealand representative, you'd think they had some clout, even if it is just passed on from Apple Australia.
Yeah the thing is the people that are getting yelled at on the phones didnt even know this was coming. Renaissance is not part of Apple so often they dont know of new products/services that are coming until they are announced from Apple Aust. I have spoken to a few of them and I do feel sorry for the way people are talking to them

[alst]

hrmm.. it kinda sounds like NZ prolly wont ever get iTMS unless someone takes care of it here (strikes a deal with apple). Because there is no such Apple NZ... and Renaissance is a distributor and arent really to blame for no iTMS.NZ?

dang... so who do we have to ask/beg/whinge to get our music store?

edit: just dont say Vodafone please... ;)

No, that doesn't make sense, the NZ storefront is ready to go...

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/com.apple.jingle.search.DirectAction/pickITMSLink?id=878137&searchType=3&storeFrontId=143461&artistName=Wheatus

http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=23068

http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=23069

Who? What? Where? How? Why?

Something funny is up, why haven't they launched in NZ?

[zen]

Buy Up quick guys I think the plug is going to get pulled very soon!!!!!!;) I just heard a little birdy on the grapevine!!!
Wha? Where from?

[winmacguy]

Well it's about time we got iTunes.....

I know what I'll be doing tonight :D
yes I plan on signing up and probably downloading a few tracks at work tomorrow with anyluck, assuming the plug hasnt been pulled on our ability to buy stuff....

Wha? Where from?
Not sure yes just waiting to see what is going to happen... keep an eye on pcworld nz website

Wha? Where from?
Im hoping for an explanation as to why there is no direct iTMS NZ store -aside from the back door loophole to for us Kiwis.

[aswitcher]

Whoot!! Finally

Has anyone bought a song yet??

aussie_geek


I bought Jets "Are you gonna be my girl" shortly after 6am this morning :)

[Nermal]

I just emailed Renaissance, just to annoy them :p

Seriously, the more requests, the better :)

I bought Jets "Are you gonna be my girl" shortly after 6am this morning :)

Not 6am this afternoon? :eek: :p

[winmacguy]

No, that doesn't make sense, the NZ storefront is ready to go...

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/com.apple.jingle.search.DirectAction/pickITMSLink?id=878137&searchType=3&storeFrontId=143461&artistName=Wheatus

http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=23068

http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=23069

Who? What? Where? How? Why?

Something funny is up, why haven't they launched in NZ?
check this out
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/8515A04BC338B24BCC2570A5000C063D

I just emailed Renaissance, just to annoy them :p

Seriously, the more requests, the better :)



Not 6am this afternoon? :eek: :p
Check my just posted link Nermal!:D

[Nermal]

Renaissance have replied (wow, that was quick!)

Dear Chris,

Thank you for your email.

We are hoping iTunes will be available in New Zealand in the
near future. However at this stage we unfortunately have no ETA on when
Apple USA is planning to expand its service offering to additional
countries.

For information on when it is released I would advise regularly checking
www.apple.co.nz for updates or signing up for our regular news letter at
http://www.apple.co.nz/hotnews/enews/

I am sorry I could not be of more assistance, and if you have any further
queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

[zen]

Interesting response. No reference to NZ access to the Australian store?

[winmacguy]

Renaissance have replied (wow, that was quick!)
I think there is going to be a bit of noise about this one!!!

[zen]

Once again it sucks to be in New Zealand. Kinda glad I am moving to the UK next year! Their iTMS even has Sony/BMG content (although probably not for much longer!).

[appleguy]

Renaissance have replied (wow, that was quick!)
yeah I have just been speaking to them as well.
some are getting it rough.
I think I will go and buy them a beer on friday

[winmacguy]

yeah I have just been speaking to them as well.
some are getting it rough.
I think I will go and buy them a beer on friday
Automated email reply I think, I got one too:(

[aafuss1]

What do you Aussies usually pay for an album in the store?

wait, maybe that's a dumb question. Do people still buy music in stores nowadays:p

Or maybe I should say will people still buy music in stores now that ITMS is here.
$20-29.95.

[winmacguy]

Renaissance have replied (wow, that was quick!)Their email server must be getting hit hard today:eek:

[appleguy]

Automated email reply I think, I got one too:(
No I got a personal one.
I know the guys in there.
I used to work in Renaissance a few years ago, they are a nice bunch of guys(and girls)

[winmacguy]

$20-29.95.
roughtly the same as us.

[delton05]

seriously, who votes this negative?

i can't understand some of the negative votes on here

I haven't as yet, but I can think of one good reason! Price!!!
Why $1.69 AUS when the exchange rates for $US0.99 is $AUS1.32 ???? Why, are aussie having to pay alot more?

Won't affect me, though, because I would never buy AAC or MP3 perceptually encoded songs, which sound like crap on my system....and yes, the difference IS obvious to my ears

I will always prefer the CD quality, PCM encoded, as mastered quality...and I'm happy to pay $20 for it, instead of $16.99 for the AAC, compromosed copy, Apple asks us to pay.

[Nermal]

Yeah I thought it looked like an automated reply. I actually specifically asked about buying from Australia ("Can we order from the Australian store like we do for QuickTime Pro?") but as you can see, the reply doesn't mention this.

[xrayzed]

Delighted it's finally open, but I still wonder why there is a 27% premium if you download from Australia compared to US prices.

All the traditional rhetoric music companies used to disguise the time-honoured tradition of price gouging the colonies (extra shipping costs, retail stocking fees, cocaine bribes for DJs, BS ad infinitum) don't really apply to digital media.

I'm waiting for some knob from BMG to argue that 27% of electrons get lost trying to find Australia.

Still, given where the music companies' heads have been over the past few years (in a state of acute cranial rectal inversion) it is a clear step forward.

[zen]

Interesting comments from the Australian launch posted at the NZMac forum:

Click! (http://www.nzmac.com/index.php?option=com_forum&Itemid=55&page=viewtopic&p=9013#9013)

Pretty much conclusive then - New Zealand access is a loophole and a mistake.

[aafuss1]

Renaissance have replied (wow, that was quick!)
I agree-let's hope Renaissance launches a NZ iTMS soon.

[winmacguy]

No I got a personal one.
I know the guys in there.
I used to work in Renaissance a few years ago, they are a nice bunch of guys(and girls)
Well I know their webmaster. He studied web design @ MDS where I studied graphic design

[Nermal]

Pretty much conclusive then - New Zealand access is a loophole and a mistake.

And what will they do about it? If we say we're from Australia in our account details, how would they be able to stop us?

[zen]

And what will they do about it? If we say we're from Australia in our account details, how would they be able to stop us?
Hmm, true. As I understand it, the credit card number is accepted because the first four digits of NZ cards are also used on some Australian cards. If anybody has a non-Aust non-NZ card and tried to register, the card should be declined.

Which means you're right- essentially, they can't stop it.

Also, if Renaissance are being hit with queries, then surely Apple Australia also now know and have done for a few hours now. But I just bought another track, so my account is still active. They would have had time to cancel it by now.

Fingers crossed then!

[Skareb]

And what will they do about it? If we say we're from Australia in our account details, how would they be able to stop us?
they couldn't

but you could also download it for free, or better yet go to the CD store.

Jordan

[appleguy]

Well I know their webmaster. He studied web design @ MDS where I studied graphic design
I use to buy my bus tickets off him.
He is a good bloke

[Nermal]

I think there is going to be a bit of noise about this one!!!

You're quite right. There are more posts about NZ in this thread than there are about Australia! :D

[yinyang]

just tried to buy an iTMS music card from Coles and K-Mart - they had no idea what I was talking about, but hopefully in the next few days they'll have got that sorted out....

http://www.giftcards.com.au/itunes/

resellers must be a bit annoyed though that they won't be allowed to sell music cards for a while....

http://forums.appletalk.com.au/index.php?showtopic=13197&st=120

[fartheststar]

Seems you aussies love your Van Halen. :p

Wikked. Welcome to iTunes Australia!!!!!!

[Marlor]

I haven't as yet, but I can think of one good reason! Price!!!
Why $1.69 AUS when the exchange rates for $US0.99 is $AUS1.32 ???? Why, are aussie having to pay alot more?

Because sales tax (GST) is built in to the Australian price, but not with the US price. So, the price is more like $1.54 pre-tax. This works out to be about US$1.15 per song.

Given that the AU$ has been in a strong position against the US$ lately, it would be expected that Apple would add in some "padding" in case it falls, so the price seems reasonable enough to me.

[winmacguy]

You're quite right. There are more posts about NZ in this thread than there are about Australia! :D
keep a look out in the NZ Herald as well either tomorrow or Friday, as well as the next issue of NetGuide (Print)

[johnji]

keep a look out in the NZ Herald as well either tomorrow or Friday, as well as the next issue of NetGuide (Print)

Computerworld.co.nz put a story up about it early this afternoon

http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/0/8515A04BC338B24BCC2570A5000C063D?OpenDocument

[oskar]

I haven't as yet, but I can think of one good reason! Price!!!
Why $1.69 AUS when the exchange rates for $US0.99 is $AUS1.32 ???? Why, are aussie having to pay alot more?

That's not too bad. It's about $US0.25 more. At least Australia's finally getting a Music Store. There are so many other countries where we could only wish to get an Apple Store at least.


Won't affect me, though, because I would never buy AAC or MP3 perceptually encoded songs, which sound like crap on my system....and yes, the difference IS obvious to my ears
I will always prefer the CD quality, PCM encoded, as mastered quality...and I'm happy to pay $20 for it, instead of $16.99 for the AAC, compromosed copy, Apple asks us to pay.

That discussion is old and has been held many times. Some people who can, prefer to buy their music online. For others their's no replacing their CD's (yet...;) ) I don't think you would mind paying less if you could download music in the lossless format. BTW, the original objective of the iTMS was for people to buy singles and not have to spend on a whole CD. So initially the iTMS store idea wasn't a replacement for complete CD's, but the growing demand and availablity of content (complete CDs and collections, audiobooks, podcasts, videopodcasts and videos, and now TV Shows) has brought to the store everything there is today.

[aafuss1]

several Jackson 5 albums are on the iTMS and many Michael Jackson songs (I love his music) songs-no Epic/Sony ones. No Ultimate Collection box set.

No Bad, Thriller, Dangerous, Blood on the Dance Floor or even Invincible.

Almost no Peter Gabriel music.

[Marlor]

I will always prefer the CD quality, PCM encoded, as mastered quality...and I'm happy to pay $20 for it, instead of $16.99 for the AAC, compromosed copy, Apple asks us to pay.

Just don't rip those CDs onto your iPod, since it is technically illegal to do that in Australia :(

[Nermal]

OK, I have a genuine question now.

Can you send gift certificates to yourself? I personally don't have a credit card, so instead of borrowing dad's card over and over on a song-by-song basis, I'd rather take, say, a $30 lump sum which I can then use at my convenience.

Edit: Yes, it works.

[ingenious_7]

Here in the US, you can purchase iTMS gift cards at retail shops (with cash or whatever) and then use that to purchase songs online. Don't know if such things are available down there.....


iTunes music cards will be available from all major supermarkets and department stores in Australia - http://www.apple.com/au/pr/library/2005/oct/25itmsoz.html (http://http://www.apple.com/au/pr/library/2005/oct/25itmsoz.html)

I was getting worried unitl I read that cause I don't own a credit card. All I can say is bring on legal music downloads :)

[oingoboingo]

I'm looking at Bodyjar's latest album on iTMS AU for $20.99. It's only $24.99 at HMV (for example). The pricing has to be more divergent than that to be attractive. I'll take the actual CD for an extra $4 thanks.

[mclosers]

The podcast section seems to also have been updated, highlighting video podcasts.
BTW if anyone likes Fall Out Boy, MxPx, or Funeral For A Friend,
check out my video podcast here...
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=80234155

Sorry about the free plug

[ebunton]

hooray

now where r those tv shows?

[Chundles]

hooray

now where r those tv shows?


Well, we can't get the US ones (neither can the rest of the world) and after thinking about it for weeks I still can't think of one good Aussie TV show worth licensing. None.

[skullsplitter]

Seems weird the main post has all this NZ talk.

So...Manu and Gamima playschool episodes for viPod? Adventures of Utu?

Cool

(Taking piss)

[aafuss1]

Well, we can't get the US ones (neither can the rest of the world) and after thinking about it for weeks I still can't think of one good Aussie TV show worth licensing. None.
We need Nickelodeon (Invader Zim, Sarvo-there's already a podcast) and ABC kids shows .

[GilGrissom]

Finally!

At least its now hear for you all. I hope things will catch up and you will get more songs as time goes by, I can't imagine the labels etc being that stubborn to not get into iTMS for that long, when everyone else is enjoying it, at least I hope not.

Yes bring on the video store...for the UK too!

[DJY]

iTunes music cards will be available from all major supermarkets and department stores in Australia

Coles Myer have exclusive sales of these until Feb 28 06...
so that includes Coles, Coles Express, Myer, Officeworks, Target, K-Mart, Bi Lo, Mega Mart, and Harris Technology.

still that is pretty good - 2500 outlets nationally selling them!

http://www.giftcards.com.au/itunes/

Shame our Apple resellers miss out until at least then though... given we have no Apple Retail store in Aust.

[winmacguy]

Computerworld.co.nz put a story up about it early this afternoon

http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/0/8515A04BC338B24BCC2570A5000C063D?OpenDocument[/I]
I know I posted the link earlier, right after they posted it on their site;)

[Nermal]

I know I posted the link earlier, right after they posted it on their site;)

Translation: I was at work and could therefore spend the entire day looking at websites :p

[winmacguy]

Seems weird the main post has all this NZ talk.

So...Manu and Gamima playschool episodes for viPod? Adventures of Utu?

Cool

(Taking piss)
Followed by Close to home and Shortland Street;) :D :D

[DeSnousa]

Is that what people like to do, just download singles. That messes up your library. Call me old fashioned but I prefer albums.

[Chundles]

We need Nickelodeon (Invader Zim, Sarvo-there's already a podcast) and ABC kids shows .

Yeah, but most of those shows are OS shows, the aussie channels just have a broadcast license. They can't distribute them in any way.

Hang on.... BLOKESWORLD!!!

OK, you Americans will love this - it's a show, normally on about 11:30pm dedicated to the blue-collar sexist Australian stereotypical male. Every week there are pole-dancing segments, information about power tools, "pub judo" and last week's special story was topless go-cart driving. None of this is censored.

It's rude, crude and vile, embarrassing to both Aussie men and women alike and rates it's t*ts off in that timeslot....

Half hour shows, not a lot of quality required, perfect for the video section of our new Music Store.

[Nermal]

Followed by Close to home and Shortland Street;) :D :D

Stop and think about how many episodes of SS exist. I believe it's around 2000. Then multiply by what, 250 MB per episode? Bam, there goes 500 gigs of space! :eek:

Edit: According to TV.com, 3295 episodes have screened so far.

Edit 2: It's a half-hour show, so probably only 125 MB per episode.

[Chundles]

Stop and think about how many episodes of SS exist. I believe it's around 2000. Then multiply by what, 250 MB per episode? Bam, there goes 500 gigs of space! :eek:

Edit: According to TV.com, 3295 episodes have screened so far.

Yikes!!

Imagine if they released Neighbours and Home and Away!!

We'd all need xServe RAIDs just to hold all that data. Mind you, I'm pretty sure that Neighbours and Home and Away are either out or coming out on DVD.

[Renegate]

The big question now is, what nation will become the "most significant country not to have iTMS yet"? Let the whining begin!
Mooncity?

[winmacguy]

Stop and think about how many episodes of SS exist. I believe it's around 2000. Then multiply by what, 250 MB per episode? Bam, there goes 500 gigs of space! :eek:

Edit: According to TV.com, 3295 episodes have screened so far.

Edit 2: It's a half-hour show, so probably only 125 MB per episode.
Give me NCIS and CSI Las Vegas anyday:cool:

[lucas]

i'd hoped itms would fill the gap of australian artists not available on allofmp3, sadly its failed so far. checked a few of the bands and none were on sony :(

[crazyjoeda]

What bad prices. $1.69 Australian is $1.50 Canadian the Canadian music store sells songs for just $0.99 so 50% more.

[DeSnousa]

What bad prices. $1.69 Australian is $1.50 Canadian the Canadian music store sells songs for just $0.99 so 50% more.

I'm sick of people bad mouthing prices. The fact of the matter is Australia has an entirely different economy from others. You can not directly compare the two as simply as that.

You got to take into consideration, standard of living eg, wages, power of the $1 and etc etc.

[unage85]

I was really hoping to be able to download TV shows. In all fairness... Lost and Desperate Housewives have both aired their first seasons here in Oz.

Hmm... well I guess it's cause the boxsets arnt available here yet but seriously!

- Den

[booksacool1]

$1.68 a song? This isn't gonna keep me away from cds/p2p...
Why? because I don't wanna lock my music collection into an apple ipod.

Maybe once it hits 25c a song.

[cleanup]

That's a ridiculous price. The AUS dollar ain't much less than the CAD and we get songs for 99¢, just like the U.S.

[Nermal]

$1.68 a song? This isn't gonna keep me away from cds/p2p...
Why? because I don't wanna lock my music collection into an apple ipod.

Maybe once it hits 25c a song.

As far as I know, JHymn is legal in Australia. You can use it to convert your purchased music to plain AAC, which you can then play on any compatible player.

[devman]

most excellent! I was travelling today so only just got to see this. Kaiser Chiefs was my first purchase.

[wolfywolfbits]

Hey fellow NZers iTunes has stopped working for me now :(

This morning I was able to create an account with my NZ credit card. I used an Ozzy billing address and it all went through without complaint. However, as of 9PM (NZ time) when I now sign-in it forces me to update my billing details, and this time around it won't accept my CC because "The payment card you entered is not valid for Australia..."

Oh well, guess back to waiting then :(

[winmacguy]

Translation: I was at work and could therefore spend the entire day looking at websites :p
In this case pretty true actually, although somewhat unusual for the design and print industry:cool:

[winmacguy]

Hey fellow NZers iTunes has stopped working for me now :(

This morning I was able to create an account with my NZ credit card. I used an Ozzy billing address and it all went through without complaint. However, as of 9PM (NZ time) when I now sign-in it forces me to update my billing details, and this time around it won't accept my CC because "The payment card you entered is not valid for Australia..."

Oh well, guess back to waiting then :(
I guess it couldn't go on for ever:o

[fisho]

Yaaaahhhh!

Congrats apple! loving itunes Oz

Fisho (kiwi in Aus)

[Alasta]

Hey fellow NZers iTunes has stopped working for me now :(

This morning I was able to create an account with my NZ credit card. I used an Ozzy billing address and it all went through without complaint. However, as of 9PM (NZ time) when I now sign-in it forces me to update my billing details, and this time around it won't accept my CC because "The payment card you entered is not valid for Australia..."

Wierd. I've just gone back in (10:05 NZ time) and it's still working fine for me. You sure you haven't just maxed your credit card? :)

[Skareb]

Just qurious, what is that quality of the pay to download songs off AiTMS?

MP3, AAC, OGG?? what bitrate etc...?

Cheers
Jordan

[Truffy]

Good for you my aussie friends. Looks like they figured out a way to pay their artists and labels and around the weird copyright laws.Except for Sony/BMG, which is not insignificant!

[Chundles]

Except for Sony/BMG, which is not insignificant!


Yeah, hope they get them in soon, I want my Ben Folds.

[InfiniteLoop1]

finally! i found CD's too expensive. One question... why do you need seperate stores for every country, there's no physical barrier making it impossible for us to download from the US store for example. Or is it some marketing strategy? or am i missing something?

[Chundles]

finally! i found CD's too expensive. One question... why do you need seperate stores for every country, there's no physical barrier making it impossible for us to download from the US store for example. Or is it some marketing strategy? or am i missing something?

We have the separate stores because of different licensing laws in each country. Also, the barrier to downloading internationally is the credit card number, Australian cards use a different combination of numbers to US cards - same number of numbers but it's like a barcode, the 4 at the start designate country of origin. That way US cards won't work on our store and vice-versa.

[Truffy]

We have the separate stores because of different licensing laws in each country. Also, the barrier to downloading internationally is the credit card number, Australian cards use a different combination of numbers to US cards - same number of numbers but it's like a barcode, the 4 at the start designate country of origin. That way US cards won't work on our store and vice-versa.
I suspect that the licensing issue is more significant than the CC. We had to wait for individual country stores here in Europe, yet I can use my UK and Swiss credit and debit cards in online US stores.

Apple has had to negotiate with each label in each territory. Even then Sony Australia has held out, although Lord knows why there and not elsewhere. It all comes down to how the labels want to control access to their catalogues. If record label execs want to be arses, they will, and there's not a lot Apple can do about it.

[Nermal]

Hey fellow NZers iTunes has stopped working for me now :(

Still works for me, I just spent $30.

[johnnyjibbs]

I'm glad the ozzies finally have it! About time!

I wonder why the record labels were so against it in Australia: piracy is no bigger there than in the US or Europe, surely?

Prices seem a little steep though.

[Renegate]

I'm glad the ozzies finally have it! About time!

I wonder why the record labels were so against it in Australia: piracy is no bigger there than in the US or Europe, surely?

Prices seem a little steep though.
Pricing is the key here, they want more money

[Renegate]

We have the separate stores because of different licensing laws in each country. Also, the barrier to downloading internationally is the credit card number, Australian cards use a different combination of numbers to US cards - same number of numbers but it's like a barcode, the 4 at the start designate country of origin. That way US cards won't work on our store and vice-versa.
Are australian cards any different than the rest of the world,after all you can use credit cards in any country (so i thought)?

[Daschund]

Please, oh please, a Latin America store!!!!!!

[Truffy]

Hey Sony! its not Apples fault your mp3 players suck
:D

[Chundles]

Are australian cards any different than the rest of the world,after all you can use credit cards in any country (so i thought)?

No, all cards are the same, it's just that the pattern of numbers identifies each card as having a particular country of origin. You can use your credit card all over the world because everything that accepts the cards do not discriminate. The iTMS has to limit itself to certain cards for each store to prevent anybody breaking the licensing agreements Apple and the record labels have agreed to - which are only valid for residents of each specific country. I'd imagine there are less restrictions on EU countries (not sure though) but it was impossible for us to buy from the US store unless we had a US bank account and credit card with a US billing address.

[Chundles]

I'm glad the ozzies finally have it! About time!

I wonder why the record labels were so against it in Australia: piracy is no bigger there than in the US or Europe, surely?

Prices seem a little steep though.


Money money.......MONEY!!

Yup, the record labels here are incredibly tight, you'd be amazed at how much they screw us over. SonyBMG is holding out for more cash, which, now with the launch of the store, they aren't going to get. I'd expect them to come onboard fairly soon. They better, there's some great artists on Sony BMG who'd I'd imagine are a bit peeved that their music isn't available to users of the most popular portable music player in the country.

[Renegate]

Money money.......MONEY!!

Yup, the record labels here are incredibly tight, you'd be amazed at how much they screw us over. SonyBMG is holding out for more cash, which, now with the launch of the store, they aren't going to get. I'd expect them to come onboard fairly soon. They better, there's some great artists on Sony BMG who'd I'd imagine are a bit peeved that their music isn't available to users of the most popular portable music player in the country.
Wondering why Apple doesn't create their own Music Label and signs up Sonys artists. I know they have that problem with the Beatles but they could just buy them or form a joint venture?

[Fabio_gsilva]

Well, I know almost nothing about Australia, but if it is so cool like we use to heard, man, this country is hot!!!
Congratulations for your iTunes music store!!!

[Shattering Fast]

I heard that technically it's illegal to own an iPod in Australia. That was like last year or more though. Maybe they've changed the laws now.

[Chundles]

I heard that technically it's illegal to own an iPod in Australia. That was like last year or more though. Maybe they've changed the laws now.

The only thing stopping it being illegal was it's ability to load music that you yourself had created. Up until now this was the only legal music you could put on your iPod.

Although I believe the ARIA said they weren't going to pursue music listeners who ripped their CD's to their iPod.

It is nice to not be a thief anymore.

[kaylee]

It's not illegal to own an iPod. However it's illegal to rip your CDs onto it (you only purchase the right to play the music off the cd), so unless you only used your iPod to store data files, or the only music on there was your own work, or someone's that you had explicit permission to use on your iPod, the law viewed you the same as if you had illegally downloaded the songs. With iTMS, obviously you are getting the right to play the songs on your ipod and computer, so we have a way to legally use iPods for whatever songs we like (provided they aren't Sony BMG artists).

[Skareb]

I heard that technically it's illegal to own an iPod in Australia.
This was never the case, though as others have stated, it has been illegal to actually use it to play ripped/downloaded... music/video.

[Shattering Fast]

Ok, thanks for the info. That's really weird.

[kretzy]

YAY!!!!!

Better late then never I guess!:)

I think the pricing is just a tad too high in terms of exchange rates etc, $1.30-$1.50 would have been better but that's not going to stop me from using it.

Pity about the TV shows not being available, maybe one day....

I work at Coles so it will be interesting to see how the gift certs. are actually sold and how many people buy them. (Hmmm I wonder if my staff discount card will work on them hehe)

Again....YAY

[bommai]

No, all cards are the same, it's just that the pattern of numbers identifies each card as having a particular country of origin. You can use your credit card all over the world because everything that accepts the cards do not discriminate. The iTMS has to limit itself to certain cards for each store to prevent anybody breaking the licensing agreements Apple and the record labels have agreed to - which are only valid for residents of each specific country. I'd imagine there are less restrictions on EU countries (not sure though) but it was impossible for us to buy from the US store unless we had a US bank account and credit card with a US billing address.


If Apple is using the credit card to validate purchase in specific countries, how does the gift card work? I can send a gift card to somebody in a different country. Do they use the IP address then?

[bigandy]

let's start a campaign for an iTMS Antarctica for all those research scientists stuck out there...

[Chundles]

If Apple is using the credit card to validate purchase in specific countries, how does the gift card work? I can send a gift card to somebody in a different country. Do they use the IP address then?


I'm not sure. I'm guessing they can then download from the store assigned to the country in which the gift card was bought. So if you buy someone a gift card from the US store using your US credit card, then I suppose they can redeem it from the US store. However I could not redeem online freebies (from signing onto a bank info site using my spam email address - the one I use when I know a spam bot's gonna send me spam) because I had to have an account linked to the US store.

I don't know how this works so if anybody who does know could pipe up and give us the correct info that would be great.

Those gift cards are going to make great presents for my sisters. Now they can get a whole album for $20 rather than having to buy a $30 voucher for each of them (birthdays are expensive for me as my sisters are twins therefore twice the price - hard for a student, now I can save $20 and each of them can get an album)

[The Truth]

Yay, now you don't need to be a criminal to use your ipod! Although the thought of paying $1.69 for a song with limitations on it's use...

[Yvan256]

One more country to the list!

Let the "iTMS should be a world-wide store" whinning begin! (and include me in that list)

Yeah, I know, it's the labels, not Apple. But how much do you wanna bet that Apple is currently pushing for a world-wide store?

[osiris315]

Good news for the Aussies. Lets see if we can get these onto iTMS for them...

1. The best of Freddy Flintoff 2005
2. 'That' drop-kick by Johhny Wilkinson
3. Tie me Kangaroo down, sport

Sorry.. i really couldnt help myself!! :D
I hope Apple continues to add to their iTMS stores and make their presence felt elsewhere around the world, especially with Apple Stores!

[coolibah]

seriously, who votes this negative?

i can't understand some of the negative votes on here

While I'm delighted its finally arrived (been holding out a long time), its a bit lacking, apart from the cost..

My first track download was going to be the Aussie classic, Hunters and Collectors "Throw your arms around me". From the Apple press release I quote "Extensive catalogues are available from Australian greats INXS, Hunters & Collectors,..". Yet a search shows no Hunters and Collectors at all. Then I thought I'd replace my old Queen Greatest Hits tape (yes tape :). Its on the US site, but not Australia. In fact there is no Queen album you can buy on the Aussie site as an album, only a few that you can buy by individual song (at $1.69 a pop).

I hope the range will increase...

[winmacguy]

It's not illegal to own an iPod. However it's illegal to rip your CDs onto it (you only purchase the right to play the music off the cd), so unless you only used your iPod to store data files, or the only music on there was your own work, or someone's that you had explicit permission to use on your iPod, the law viewed you the same as if you had illegally downloaded the songs. With iTMS, obviously you are getting the right to play the songs on your ipod and computer, so we have a way to legally use iPods for whatever songs we like (provided they aren't Sony BMG artists).
Its illegal to load your iPod with music from CDs in NZ as well since we pretty much have the same format shifting laws as Australia.

[jap4n]

Its illegal to load your iPod with music from CDs in NZ as well since we pretty much have the same format shifting laws as Australia.


i think it used to be illegal? but wasnt there a law change which allows us to backup software discs (including audio)?

[appleguy]

Anyone in NZ cant download.
a few reports are saying that some have been cut off last night
I can still download this morning

[zen]

Yep, still working for me. Downloaded a track at 8 this morning.

Zen

[appleguy]

Yep, still working for me. Downloaded a track at 8 this morning.

Zen
I just downloaded the Popcorn CD for my cousins baby. he loves those songs. just to prove you can now legally (well sort of)

[johnji]

Yep, still working for me. Downloaded a track at 8 this morning.

Zen

Still working for me also. Downloaded an EP by a great kiwi band named Betchadupa half an hour ago. For those middle of the road Aussies out there Betchadupa might be more familiar to you as the band belonging to the son of Niel Finn, another great kiwi musician and leader of classic kiwi band Crowded House, who for some reason frequently gets mistaken as an Australian.

[deanbo]

Just downloaded a song at about 10am this morning.

[zen]

Cool. If it is still up by the end of the day then I think we are safe. Apple Australia have already had more than half a working day yesterday to stop NZ access.

[Nermal]

I don't think Apple really cares, it's probably just the record companies.

[appleguy]

I don't think Apple really cares, it's probably just the record companies.
after all we are still paying money.

[fawlty]

after all we are still paying money.

but not GST - at least not to New Zealand.

[appleguy]

but not GST - at least not to New Zealand.
yeah but we arent using an NZ service so we dont have to pay GST. like buying a DVD from Amazon

[Chundles]

Still working for me also. Downloaded an EP by a great kiwi band named Betchadupa half an hour ago. For those middle of the road Aussies out there Betchadupa might be more familiar to you as the band belonging to the son of Niel Finn, another great kiwi musician and leader of classic kiwi band Crowded House, who for some reason frequently gets mistaken as an Australian.

Yup, for that we'll give you back Russell Crowe.

[appleguy]

Yup, for that we'll give you back Russell Crowe.
Did you know for every one of his movies now, one of this requirements is an all black shirt for the acting cast.. lol

[johnji]

Did you know for every one of his movies now, one of this requirements is an all black shirt for the acting cast.. lol

That seems strange, as I was under the impression that Russ 'the Muss' prefered to be surrounded by people in green and red striped shirts with his name on the front: http://www.souths.com.au/home/index.asp. Get in quick and you can even get one of the shirts—signed and framed by the true Australian himself! :p

[ariza910]

I have a request for one of you down under folk, can someone please look up THE CAT EMPIRE on the Australia iTunes music store.

Please let me know if its on there, I am willing to pay to have someone buy it on iTunes Australia and send it to me using the new "Gift this Music" feature.

[appleguy]

just tried to set my brother up on iTMS
it comes up blocking him access as he doesnt have a Australian credit card. even if we use my card that I registered with yesterday it doesnt work.
yet I can still download songs

[Chundles]

I have a request for one of you down under folk, can someone please look up THE CAT EMPIRE on the Australia iTunes music store.

Please let me know if its on there, I am willing to pay to have someone buy it on iTunes Australia and send it to me using the new "Gift this Music" feature.

At the moment there's only "The Car Song EP" online. It's a shame - they're certainly a wonderful act, very original blend of Jazz and Latin and some Arabic sounds.

[Nermal]

just tried to set my brother up on iTMS
it comes up blocking him access as he doesnt have a Australian credit card. even if we use my card that I registered with yesterday it doesnt work.
yet I can still download songs

That's weird, I bought another song today with no trouble. However, I paid from account credit rather than credit card (I put $30 on last night as it's not my card and I don't want to have to get permission to use it every time I want a song).

[appleguy]

That's weird, I bought another song today with no trouble. However, I paid from account credit rather than credit card (I put $30 on last night as it's not my card and I don't want to have to get permission to use it every time I want a song).
yesh it is weird I can still buy songs on credit card that was rejected today.
maybe it was lucky I registered yesterday

[ariza910]

At the moment there's only "The Car Song EP" online. It's a shame - they're certainly a wonderful act, very original blend of Jazz and Latin and some Arabic sounds.

Thanks for checking!

I just purchased their self titled import and it cost nearly $30. I'm hooked but cant justify spending so much on another CD. :(

[Chundles]

Thanks for checking!

I just purchased their self titled import and it cost nearly $30. I'm hooked but cant justify spending so much on another CD. :(


The new album's very good, it's quite a bit different being recorded in Cuba so it has a real Latin-american feel to it. It's less frenetic and has some cool choral effects in some of the slower songs. There are still some great sort-of-comedic songs in there but the rest of the album is a lot deeper.

[mad jew]

I just purchased their self titled import and it cost nearly $30. I'm hooked but cant justify spending so much on another CD. :(


Have you seen them live? It's not my style of music but it's amazing live. I know it's a cliché, but I've never seen more energy on stage. :)

[sluthy]

Still working for me also. Downloaded an EP by a great kiwi band named Betchadupa half an hour ago. For those middle of the road Aussies out there Betchadupa might be more familiar to you as the band belonging to the son of Niel Finn, another great kiwi musician and leader of classic kiwi band Crowded House, who for some reason frequently gets mistaken as an Australian.
Two of the three members were Australian (briefly had Kiwi fourth member, replaced with Aussie fourth member), recorded mostly in Australia, I say they were Australian. Split Enz, definitely Kiwis, but Crowded House is ours dammit :D. Haven't actually heard Betchadupa yet, would like to though, I'll check them out on the iTMS tonight (finally, no more "sign up" messages before previewing each song :)).

[MyLeftNut]

AAAAAAHHHHHH! Finally, bought some stuff already. Felt great.
Sony. You can stick it up your arse...:D

[ariza910]

Have you seen them live? It's not my style of music but it's amazing live. I know it's a cliché, but I've never seen more energy on stage. :)

I would like to see them live, unfortunetly I am living in the US and I dont think they have come out here yet.

[Alasta]

I'm downloading a music video as we speak, and it's still working fine.

I would be very intererested to know what criteria Apple uses to distinguish whether someone is in Australia or New Zealand. As I understand it, credit cards issued by New Zealand banks have a similar numeric sequence to those issued by Australian banks, so it might be difficult to determine it on this basis. I s'pose they could examine your IP address to determine what country you're accessing it from, but I'm sure tech-savvy users would find a way to get around this.

The fact that Apple set up a New Zealand storefront back in April suggests that they had definite plans to launch the service in both countries, so something must've happened during their negotiations with the record labels which resulted in us being cut out of the loop. The question is whether the record companies object to the service being available to New Zealanders, or whether they object to it being promoted to us. If the latter, then we may be fortunate enough to maintain access at least in the short term.

[Nermal]

I s'pose they could examine your IP address to determine what country you're accessing it from, but I'm sure tech-savvy users would find a way to get around this.

The "rules" aren't that you must be in Australia, but just that you must have an Australian credit card. Therefore they can't filter by IP address because they could potentially block legitimate users.

[Will_reed]

I wouldnt say you have to have a credit card from that country Just a billing address.

[aswitcher]

I wouldnt say you have to have a credit card from that country Just a billing address.



Yeah, iirc correctly thats the only real limitation.

[iMeowbot]

I would like to see them live, unfortunetly I am living in the US and I dont think they have come out here yet.
You just missed them, they made a run through the US a few weeks ago :(

[Skareb]

The fact that Apple set up a New Zealand storefront back in April suggests that they had definite plans to launch the service in both countries.

Remember NZ isn't a very large country (population wise,) and of that small number fewer are iPod owners, of that small number even fewer may be willing to pay for music downloads.

Depending on legaistics, it may not be worth Apple's while

Jordan

[abc123]

I have a request for one of you down under folk, can someone please look up THE CAT EMPIRE on the Australia iTunes music store.

Please let me know if its on there, I am willing to pay to have someone buy it on iTunes Australia and send it to me using the new "Gift this Music" feature. does that feature work across countries?

[winmacguy]

i think it used to be illegal? but wasnt there a law change which allows us to backup software discs (including audio)?
It still is illegal although a law change is being worked on, only problem is that the law makers are consulting the music execs so dont expect it to be favourable.:mad: :eek:

[DJY]

The only thing stopping it being illegal was it's ability to load music that you yourself had created. Up until now this was the only legal music you could put on your iPod.

I did chuckle on the inside one day last year when I was watching a police officer, on duty, in uniform, in a marked car listening to his iPod!

Good ol double standards!!!
So who gets to decide which laws we must follow and which we are allowed to ignore?

[Alasta]

Remember NZ isn't a very large country (population wise,) and of that small number fewer are iPod owners, of that small number even fewer may be willing to pay for music downloads.

Depending on legaistics, it may not be worth Apple's while

Absolutely correct. Which brings me back to my original question : Why did Apple create a New Zealand storefront if they were not reasonably certain that it would be economically viable? To the best of my knowledge, they have not created storefronts for other countries who do not yet have access to the service.

It's my opinion that if the New Zealand store could have piggy-backed on the Australian store, then it would have been feasible to offer it. However, if it were to require its own infrastructure in New Zealand, then the cost probably would have outweighed Apple's returns.

[bryng]

Apple didn't set up a New Zealand storefront. Renaissance, the licenced NZ distributor, did.

Renaissance often have very little idea what Apple are up to, which is why there is a delay when new products are announced in working out pricing and making items available for sale.

Apple did have a presence in New Zealand at one point, and did absolutely nothing with it.

[Alasta]

Apple didn't set up a New Zealand storefront. Renaissance, the licenced NZ distributor, did.

Renaissance often have very little idea what Apple are up to, which is why there is a delay when new products are announced in working out pricing and making items available for sale.

Apple did have a presence in New Zealand at one point, and did absolutely nothing with it.

I'm fully aware that the online Apple store at www.apple.co.nz is administered by Renaissance, but that's not what I was referring to.

My comment was a reference to the fact that within the iTunes Music Store interface, there is some basic structure for a New Zealand 'storefront'. This was revealed back in April when some users from this forum were able to produce error messages and terms and conditions with specific references to the "New Zealand store".

[fawlty]

yeah but we arent using an NZ service so we dont have to pay GST. like buying a DVD from Amazon

Product imported from Amazon (or for that matter EBay) still attracts GST - they just don't bother collecting it from small value packages.

iTMS-NZ (may it come soon) will be required to collect GST, which implies some extra infrastructure. I'd like to think that's the reason for the delay but will reserve my optimism until someone finds a NZ flag icon...

[Alasta]

Product imported from Amazon (or for that matter EBay) still attracts GST - they just don't bother collecting it from small value packages.

iTMS-NZ (may it come soon) will be required to collect GST, which implies some extra infrastructure. I'd like to think that's the reason for the delay but will reserve my optimism until someone finds a NZ flag icon...

New Zealand customs collects import duties and GST on imported goods which meet the criteria for these taxes. To the best of my knowledge, there is no GST levied on services purchased from overseas, since there are no physical goods to pass through customs.

This has some interesting implications because, if a New Zealand iTunes Music store were based in New Zealand, then we would have to pay GST to the New Zealand government. If, on the other hand, it were based in Australia, then we would not owe GST to anyone.

Of course, those of us who have been purchasing from the Australian iTunes Music store this week will have been paying Australian GST, since it assumes that all of its users are Australian. I hope those damn Aussies appreciate our genereous contribution to their tax revenue. :p

[Nermal]

I hope those damn Aussies appreciate our genereous contribution to their tax revenue. :p

They're getting tax from me now, plus they got some when I bought QT Pro. On the other hand, they didn't get anything when I bought a duty-free iPod in Sydney a few months ago :D for over $100 less than the NZ price! :eek:

[fawlty]

This has some interesting implications because, if a New Zealand iTunes Music store were based in New Zealand, then we would have to pay GST to the New Zealand government. If, on the other hand, it were based in Australia, then we would not owe GST to anyone.

Somehow I don't think the Wastemaster-General would let us get away with that.

[Nermal]

I believe that most of Europe is getting away with it. ITunes is based in Luxembourg, and I believe that users from other European countries don't need to pay tax.

[xrayzed]

Of course, those of us who have been purchasing from the Australian iTunes Music store this week will have been paying Australian GST, since it assumes that all of its users are Australian. I hope those damn Aussies appreciate our genereous contribution to their tax revenue. :p
Which covers about 10% of the payout to Kiwi's who travel across the Tasman to take up higher Australian unemployment benefits. ;)

[kretzy]

I work for Coles Myer, and from what I've seen the music cards haven't been selling that well. They came out over a month ago, and today was the first day I ever sold one to a customer. I wonder how well it is going?