iTunes Australia in June?

[MacRumors]

Despite recent rumors (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/03/20050329063441.shtml) that iTunes Australia would be arriving by the end of April, The Sun Herald (http://www.smh.com.au/news/Technology/Web-tunes-revolution-here-soon/2005/04/09/1112997223744.html?oneclick=true) reports that music industry sources are predicting the Australian iTunes to arrive by mid-June.

Regardless, the article notes that Apple has started booking advertising for the Australian iTunes store in music magazines -- so the wait should not be too long.

[Chaszmyr]

Mid-June still isn't very long. I'm glad Apple is expanding, but it's too bad they aren't expanding to more countries... I realize legal issues get in the way though.

[broken_keyboard]

These are the top 10 countries for number of PCs
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/med_per_com

1. United States 161,000,000
2. Japan 40,000,000
3. Germany 27,640,000
4. China 20,600,000
5. United Kingdom 20,190,000
6. Korea, South 18,615,000
7. France 17,920,000
8. Canada 12,900,000
9. Italy 10,300,000
10. Australia 9,000,000

They should try and get everyone on that list. People can't use iTMS without a PC.

[gekko513]

by mid June ... that includes the end of April, doesn't it?

[aswitcher]

by mid June ... that includes the end of April, doesn't it?


Well ist another promiding sign. Here's hoping the number of songs available and price per song make it attractive

[brentonbrenton]

any fellow australians here that are feeling their excitement waining about the launch of the australian itms. this must be the umpteenth prediction of a launch date and now i'm serisously not that much interested. [hopefully that'll change again]

waiting and waiting, as a student i think i'll be just as happy to continue buying 1 copy of an album and borrow it between friends, play it over and over during the course of a week - be completely over it and then pass it back.

[Dr. Dastardly]

These are the top 10 countries for number of PCs
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/med_per_com

1. United States 161,000,000
2. Japan 40,000,000
3. Germany 27,640,000
4. China 20,600,000
5. United Kingdom 20,190,000
6. Korea, South 18,615,000
7. France 17,920,000
8. Canada 12,900,000
9. Italy 10,300,000
10. Australia 9,000,000

They should try and get everyone on that list. People can't use iTMS without a PC.
I'm actually surprised that the numbers are that low.

[broken_keyboard]

I'm actually surprised that the numbers are that low.

If you follow the link they are only year 2000 figures. There are probably a lot more now...

[Freg3000]

If Apple is confident enough to be preparing advertising for the Aussie iTMS, they will probably be ready to announce it will be coming in "whenever" on April 28th when the announce some other iTunes stuff (theoretically) as they did with the preannouncement of iTMS Canada.

[risc]

any fellow australians here that are feeling their excitement waining about the launch of the australian itms. this must be the umpteenth prediction of a launch date and now i'm serisously not that much interested. [hopefully that'll change again]

waiting and waiting, as a student i think i'll be just as happy to continue buying 1 copy of an album and borrow it between friends, play it over and over during the course of a week - be completely over it and then pass it back.

Yeah I've definitely filed ITMS Australia under the I'll believe it when I see it part of my brain. Every month there is another ITMS Australia rumour - I just don't care anymore!

[Disko]

All my sources are saying 'mid may'... but then again, i've got it on good advice that Apple have been looking around for quotes on a May 31st event with a weblink and so on. This could well be the iTMS AU Launch.

Once i've got more clarity on those details, i'll post it up on AppleTalk.

[aswitcher]

All my sources are saying 'mid may'... but then again, i've got it on good advice that Apple have been looking around for quotes on a May 31st event with a weblink and so on. This could well be the iTMS AU Launch.

Once i've got more clarity on those details, i'll post it up on AppleTalk.


Mid May...mmm...they say anything about prices?

[OwenMan]

I think its great coming to Australia, its about bloody time! I just hope they good Australian songs on there.

I was also wondering, are the songs offered in the American Store different to the ones in the European stores?

[browder]

Just went to browse through the other iTMS' and found that I no longer get presented with the country warning (that the iTMS isn't availble in Australia yet). Maybe this is an indication that it is indeed coming?

And, yes, the European and US stores do have different tracks - it all depends in the licensing terms from the record labels.

[MrSmith]

So how about Japan? It's not that far from Australia :)

[curmi]

So how about Japan? It's not that far from Australia :)

Although I'm in Australia, and would love to see iTMS Australia, I do think Japan should be next. It seems wrong that there are no Asian countries in iTMS yet...

[devman]

Yeah I've definitely filed ITMS Australia under the I'll believe it when I see it part of my brain. Every month there is another ITMS Australia rumour - I just don't care anymore!

Yes, I have to admit also that there's been so many false starts to this one that my enthusiasm has seriously waned.

I'll believe it when I see it - and then I'll probably be all over it :)

[White Fire]

Perhaps it might be announced in June, but it is unlikely to be released until July. Apple is likely to be waiting for the Free Trade Agreement with the US to be passed in Parliament, which will not happen until the government gains the majority in the Senate on 1 July.

[.Andy]

I'll believe it when I see it too :rolleyes:.

It's just that its taken so long that it makes me worry. With our ridiculous legislation (+the TFA), constant shafting on the prices of music, total ignoring of exchange rates, I'm worried that Aus is going to be the weakest iTMS yet. We'll definitely be the most expensive. I wouldn't be surprised if we end up without legends like ACDC, Paul Kelly, Crowded House because the Aus record companies want to push the pathtic Australian Idol dropkicks.

And if one more bloody Neighbours tart attempts a music career.......:mad:

[swy32x]

These are the top 10 countries for number of PCs
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/med_per_com

1. United States 161,000,000
2. Japan 40,000,000
3. Germany 27,640,000
4. China 20,600,000
5. United Kingdom 20,190,000
6. Korea, South 18,615,000
7. France 17,920,000
8. Canada 12,900,000
9. Italy 10,300,000
10. Australia 9,000,000

They should try and get everyone on that list. People can't use iTMS without a PC.

Even if those are figures from 2000, that means that just less than one in every two people in Australia have a computer!

[d.perel]

Sounds pretty concrete of a rumor...
Are there any Asian ITMS yet?

[AppleinJapan]

Although I'm in Australia, and would love to see iTMS Australia, I do think Japan should be next. It seems wrong that there are no Asian countries in iTMS yet...

Hi - First Time post From Kanagawa in Japan !!!
Im an Aussie so I want Australia to get iTMS first and hopefully cheap (99c a song).....Japanese music companies are putting up the prices of Cd's while sales are falling (last year, the industry banned the import of cheaper CD's made in China and Korea - the industry fell 30%)......The ipod is very popular here but downloading songs to your mobile phone is getting more and more popular...Yahoo.co.jp is going to start a music iTMS like service (they beat ebay in Japan and Yahoo is a very very popular provider in Japan) so iTMS better get here this year or risk coming in too late....By the way, there's talk that Apple is having trouble with the Japanese Music companies here cause they want at least 240 yen for a song....

[rickmac2005]

I'll believe it when I see it too :rolleyes:.

It's just that its taken so long that it makes me worry. With our ridiculous legislation (+the TFA), constant shafting on the prices of music, total ignoring of exchange rates, I'm worried that Aus is going to be the weakest iTMS yet. We'll definitely be the most expensive. I wouldn't be surprised if we end up without legends like ACDC, Paul Kelly, Crowded House because the Aus record companies want to push the pathtic Australian Idol dropkicks.

And if one more bloody Neighbours tart attempts a music career.......:mad:

I don't think AC/DC have signed any deals for download music anywhere, so it probably will be excluded. Crowded House shouldn't be a prob tho'!

[fatbarstard]

Yep, here we go again... Another mindless rumour popping up because its getting a bit slow on the overall newsfront from Apple... seems that all is quiet before the launch of Tigger... because that's what Tiggers do best!!

Anyway I hope that ITMS Aust, if it ever does eventuate has an add on for NZ... I mean most of the 'talent' in Australia comes from NZ anyway (much like most of the talen in the US comes from Canada)... And I hope Flying Nun are there offering songs :D :D :D

[curmi]

Hi - First Time post From Kanagawa in Japan !!!
Im an Aussie so I want Australia to get iTMS first and hopefully cheap (99c a song).....Japanese music companies are putting up the prices of Cd's while sales are falling (last year, the industry banned the import of cheaper CD's made in China and Korea - the industry fell 30%)......The ipod is very popular here but downloading songs to your mobile phone is getting more and more popular...Yahoo.co.jp is going to start a music iTMS like service (they beat ebay in Japan and Yahoo is a very very popular provider in Japan) so iTMS better get here this year or risk coming in too late....By the way, there's talk that Apple is having trouble with the Japanese Music companies here cause they want at least 240 yen for a song....

Note that Apple has released a mobile phone Apple store service. So maybe Apple plan to offer download of music to mobile phones from that service? :)

[pknz]

If they do Australia they better have plans for a New Zealand iTMS aswell.

[doogle]

Yep, here we go again... Another mindless rumour popping up because its getting a bit slow on the overall newsfront from Apple... seems that all is quiet before the launch of Tigger... because that's what Tiggers do best!!

Anyway I hope that ITMS Aust, if it ever does eventuate has an add on for NZ... I mean most of the 'talent' in Australia comes from NZ anyway (much like most of the talen in the US comes from Canada)... And I hope Flying Nun are there offering songs :D :D :D


AMEN to that!
Hey have you got any "The Chills" to swap and other Flying Nun stufff?

[mr bond]

i have it from a very good legal source that itune will not be available in australia until the end of the year!

[matticus008]

If they do Australia they better have plans for a New Zealand iTMS aswell.

I'd hope so! Of course, it still baffles me that they haven't been able to launch an EU-wide iTMS yet. Maybe it makes more of a statement to personalize by country.

[broken_keyboard]

I don't know why they bother to negotiate with the local music execs personally. Just go over their heads to their US bosses and get permission from them.

[sluthy]

And if one more bloody Neighbours tart attempts a music career.......:mad:

Stephanie McIntosh (Sky on Neighbours) has already been quoted as wanting to move into music eventually, so expect that within a year or two.

And Crowded House are already on the iTMS aren't they? Or is that a difference between Nettwerk in the US and EMI in Australia?

It's funny, because the iPod is the highest selling portable music player on the Australian market (I'm pretty certain), yet legally, there's currently no way to put music onto it :D .

[AppleinJapan]

Note that Apple has released a mobile phone Apple store service. So maybe Apple plan to offer download of music to mobile phones from that service? :)

Good point ! I hope that they do...but it won't be at 99yen !! more like say 300 yen or a subscription amount...The thing is the ipod is very popular but there's no iTMS - stupid move from Apple....

[sjl]

And if one more bloody Neighbours tart attempts a music career.......:mad:
There are Neighbours tarts attempting music careers? Colour me amazed; I don't think I've heard so much as a note of music coming out of said individuals. Then again, that might have something to do with the fact that I never listen to stations that are likely to play the music. It might also have something to do with the fact that I consider most of what the recording industry calls "music" to be crap, not music.

And the bizarre thing is, they're not even good eye candy...

[kretzy]

Well the sooner the better i say!
I'm really looking forward to an Aussie iTMS, i just hope its not too expensive!

Re the Neighbours tarts, you have a point but there are two exceptions - kyie and delta - they really have made it big in the music industry (and for good reason). :D

[aswitcher]

Does anyone know the answer to a technical issue re ITMS.

I have all my passwords etc under my admin account, but my music is all run from a non admin password account. If I buy online I figure I should do it from my admin account BUT I dont think that it going to work too well because I dont know if new tunes from ITMS will appear to my non-admin account...Hoe does DRM work on one machine? Is tis seemless?

[broken_keyboard]

Does anyone know the answer to a technical issue re ITMS.

I have all my passwords etc under my admin account, but my music is all run from a non admin password account. If I buy online I figure I should do it from my admin account BUT I dont think that it going to work too well because I dont know if new tunes from ITMS will appear to my non-admin account...Hoe does DRM work on one machine? Is tis seemless?

It won't matter what account you buy it from...

You just get an .m4p file downloaded, and you can load it in to iTunes for any user. The first time you try to play it it will contact Apple's server and say "Is this one of the 5 allowed machines?"

[jeffreyg]

I'll believe it when I see it too :rolleyes:.

It's just that its taken so long that it makes me worry. With our ridiculous legislation (+the TFA), constant shafting on the prices of music, total ignoring of exchange rates, I'm worried that Aus is going to be the weakest iTMS yet. We'll definitely be the most expensive. :mad:

Ditto to all that. The combo of Apple Australia AND the Aussie music industry as partners makes me more nervous than an altarboy at the pope's funeral.

They've both gouged us mercilessly for decades...

[fastred]

If they do Australia they better have plans for a New Zealand iTMS aswell.

Since NZ and Australia are usually treated as one location for distribution and licensing purposes by the music industry, you would hope so.

For example, APRA coves both Australia and NZ.

But hey, its the music industry!

Jeremy

[mad jew]

It's funny, because the iPod is the highest selling portable music player on the Australian market (I'm pretty certain), yet legally, there's currently no way to put music onto it :D .

Not quite right, if you happen to be an artist then you can legally put the music you make onto your iPod. :D

Pretty good incentive to dust off the ol' guitar then... ;)

[jnicolso1]

I wonder if iTMS will have the traction in Australia that it has oversea's, everyone I know has got so used to downloading music without DRM, that I wonder if they will take the opportunity to legalise their collections. It would be sensible to do so, or at least when possible but you have to wonder if people will. The music business should have rolled iTMS out with apple globally last year when it saw the success of iTMS in the states, then people would have had at least another year to get used to paying for downloads rather than just getting torrents, if the price is above $1 I think lots of people will probably just ignore iTMS and carry on as before.

[h'biki]

I don't know why they bother to negotiate with the local music execs personally. Just go over their heads to their US bosses and get permission from them.

Because their 'US Bosses' have no authority to negotiate licences outside of their territory.

[jnicolso1]

Todays Australian IT section has a good article on the state of Legal downloads in it. It seems the 3 leading legal download sites only have around 67% of chart songs on them and average $1.89 per song. Maybe the problem with iTunes is that Apple doesn't want to screw the aussies enought for the local music execs. Although it notes that legal sales have declined 25% since 1999, only 18 more years and no one will but music in shops.

[sjl]

Re the Neighbours tarts, you have a point but there are two exceptions - kyie and delta - they really have made it big in the music industry (and for good reason). :D
Who and who?

[aswitcher]

It won't matter what account you buy it from...

You just get an .m4p file downloaded, and you can load it in to iTunes for any user. The first time you try to play it it will contact Apple's server and say "Is this one of the 5 allowed machines?"


Hey thats great. Thanks. I was worried each account would also be an allowed machine.

[LifeIsCheap]

New article just posted in the Sydney Morning Herald (http://www.smh.com.au/news/Technology/iTunes-music-store-set-to-open/2005/04/26/1114462030140.html) quoting this thursday as the day for iTunes Oz to open for business!

$1.80 per track though! Too expensive I reckon. Gets close to the cost of a CD if you like the whole album.

[Bigheadache]

New article just posted in the Sydney Morning Herald (http://www.smh.com.au/news/Technology/iTunes-music-store-set-to-open/2005/04/26/1114462030140.html) quoting this thursday as the day for iTunes Oz to open for business!

$1.80 per track though! Too expensive I reckon. Gets close to the cost of a CD if you like the whole album.

Yeah what a joke. As always, we Aussies have to bend over and take it from Apple when it comes to pricing.

[djlu]

There are a lot of reports coming out today that the iTunes Australia launch is imminent. Although it looks like Warner and Sony are holding out again :(

I guess they won't be happy until they destroy the successful pricing model and end up having less sales.

Edit: link provided for article:

http://www.forbes.com/digitalentertainment/2005/09/08/itunes-australia-labels-cx_pak_0908ipod.html

[kretzy]

There are a lot of reports coming out today that the iTunes Australia launch is imminent.

And pigs might fly! :rolleyes:
It'll be 2050 before Australia gets an iTunes music store.

[aswitcher]

New article just posted in the Sydney Morning Herald (http://www.smh.com.au/news/Technology/iTunes-music-store-set-to-open/2005/04/26/1114462030140.html) quoting this thursday as the day for iTunes Oz to open for business!

$1.80 per track though! Too expensive I reckon. Gets close to the cost of a CD if you like the whole album.


Well its Friday and nothing between Austria and Belgium

[DJY]

Well we probably break the records for numbers of false start rumours in the history of iTMS?!
How many 'alleged' dates that people come up with so far or claimed insider information thus far?

I've clearly lost count!
Oh yeah and iPhoto books Apple?

[Nermal]

Well its Friday and nothing between Austria and Belgium

You do realise that was posted 5 months ago, don't you? :eek:

[aswitcher]

You do realise that was posted 5 months ago, don't you? :eek:


;) Yep folks, its been that long...

[Lacero]

That's almost as long as Martha Stewart's prison sentence. Not long enough. :D