International iTunes...

[MacRumors]

One source indicates that the Canadian launch of the iTunes Music Store is expected on the order of weeks -- with licensing dicussions nearing compleition.

European users also have some encouraging news with this MacWorld UK article (http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/top_news_item.cfm?NewsID=6308) which references a Music Week article discussing iTunes and the European market. In the article, Pascal Cagni, vice-president of Apple Europe, reveals that launching the iTunes music store in Europe is his top priority:

"As head of Europe, I have only one interest, which is to launch [iTunes Music Store] in Europe"

Unfortunately, it appears licensing discussions did not begin until after the US launch, and the service may be launched in a piecemeal fashion -- with more Internet-popular areas getting first access.

As an encouraging sign, however, head of EMI is quoted as saying "I can't see anything that would stop us making music available for Apple's service in Europe".

[shadowfax]

iTunes shopper hopefuls of the world, unite!

hopefully the wait for the spred of the revolution won't be too long.

[joelc]

Heh, but you already have it...

[ipman]

I would think that even if the music labels are willing that there may be legal impediments such as tax, etc that would have to be sorted out first.

On another note, I bloody hope Australia isn't too far down the track.

[niar]

With apple marketshare under 1 percent, I can't see this happening in Estonia..
Also, I don't believe the song prices going to be as low as in US. Considering the differencies between US and European CD prices - I predict 1.99 euros per song

[CharlesVan]

I hope it's 99 cents Cdn a song. Otherwise, it would be the same as buying an actual CD.

[woodsey]

Still no mention of australia! :mad:

Apple Australia has shown us no reason to believe they would bother customising something for us.

They didnt bother with sherlock, or iPhoto prints.

Do you think they would bother setting up an australian version of the music store?

It wouldnt suprise me if they didnt!

[Foocha]

I can't wait for the service to reach the UK - I feel a shopping spree coming on.

Re: Estonia - I hope the service will be pan EU (existing and new members!) and you get coverage. I'd be perfectly happy paying for my songs in Euros.

[macmax]

Originally posted by Foocha
I can't wait for the service to reach the UK - I feel a shopping spree coming on.

Re: Estonia - I hope the service will be pan EU (existing and new members!) and you get coverage. I'd be perfectly happy paying for my songs in Euros.

go ask me , i am in the caribbean, go figure when i will get it.

Something i don't understand is that it says that if i have a billing adress in the USA i can dl music, well , i have one , but i can't seem to be able to update the account i have.

[Knox]

Actually, i'd prefer if they waited a while and made sure they got music suitable to the European/international market rather than rush it out with the selection currently available. Out of the current UK singles top 10 only one track (50 Cent) is available on the US store, and, although the chart music isn't exactly the pinacle of musical talent, it's going to sell the most.

[ssamani]

Originally posted by Macrumors

As an encouraging sign, however, head of EMI is quoted as saying "I can't see anything that would stop us making music available for Apple's service in Europe".

Given that EMI recently started allowing UK bricks and mortar retailers to sell downloads from their websites, this should really not be a big issue for EMI in the UK. The only question is whether the other four as far developed from a legal perspective in the UK. I suspect Apple will wait until they have 200k songs in place for each country before they go live.

EMI backs digital downloads:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2972673.stm

Lets hope that the 1m songs sold in 1 week makes the big five greedy for more.

[BaghdadBob]

Just be easy guys. I know everyone not in the US is frustrated -- rightly -- by the lack of Sherlock and iPhoto localization, but this is totally, totally, totally different.

I hate to put it in terms of greed, but quite frankly, ordering prints from iPhoto and having full Sherlock localization just doesn't pay the bills for Apple. The music store pays for itself.

So don't worry, your money is as good as anyone else's. Meaning Apple wants it. So prepare to have it taken from you! :)

[valypan]

Good news for us European users at last.
If they are going to give priority to countries where internet is more popular, like they hinted on the article, then I guess scandinavia is at the top of the list, also considering how popular broadband is over here.

http://research.analysys.com/default.asp?mode=jdt2

So fingers crossed for us :)

[Mr Jobs]

I dont care if it come to the UK, as looking a history of pricing when it come to the UK Apple is going to charge somethiong like 99p per song which is way more then the US prices.

[Hozie]

Well, I for one would never buy at the equivalent of 99p because at that point, it becomes cheaper to just go out and buy the CD. I think the 0.99$ is right on the mark, so if I were Apple, I wouldn't stray too far from that price.

[Wardofsky]

I hope Australia exists in Apple.

[krafix]

Yeeha! Canadians next... then the world!

Originally posted by CharlesVan
I hope it's 99 cents Cdn a song. Otherwise, it would be the same as buying an actual CD.

yep, I hope they made marketing studies right cause here in canada, it's one of the cheapest CDs on earth. Let's hope they don't blown it.:rolleyes:

[yuri_koval]

I think It would be a gread idea if apple will add more music record companies. Then, users would have more choices of their music interests.

[kettle]

Originally posted by Foocha
I'd be perfectly happy paying for my songs in Euros.

Not me.

I will not be paying for iTunes in Euros

I have a huge problem with apple insisting I support a Federal Super State of dubious creation.

[iN8]

Originally posted by macmax
go ask me , i am in the caribbean, go figure when i will get it.

Something i don't understand is that it says that if i have a billing adress in the USA i can dl music, well , i have one , but i can't seem to be able to update the account i have.

I have a US credit card as well, but I guess your computer has to physically be in the US. I don't know how it knows where you are, but I know it isn't just your credit card.

[encro]

Australia???

Isn't that some form of spaghetti?

[gwuMACaddict]

cnn.com has a poll at the bottem of their website today asking 'would you pay .99 to download music files'. so far it is 70% no

i believe we can chalk this up to envy, think the windows world is jealous

:D :D

[Sol]

Originally posted by encro
Australia???

Isn't that some form of spaghetti?

I have never heard of Australian spaghetti but I will take your word for it. I can imagine that it would have egg, bacon and pineapple pieces on it.

On a more serious note, I do not see the point of opening an Apple Music Store here without Australian content. The same goes for every other country where the service is not offered yet.

Since there is no Windows version of iTunes yet I think Apple would do well to sell music on the Music Store via CD-R dispensing kiosks in shopping centers. Such kiosks would make the Music Store accessible to most shoppers, not just those with Macs and broadband.

[abdul]

Originally posted by woodsey
Still no mention of australia! :mad:

Apple Australia has shown us no reason to believe they would bother customising something for us.

They didnt bother with sherlock, or iPhoto prints.

Do you think they would bother setting up an australian version of the music store?

It wouldnt suprise me if they didnt!

ok there saying its there top priority.....we'll see. dont worry the uk has got no sherlock support either also iphoto is just the US (or is it north america??)

doesnt matter let the hevily populated europe get it first and then worry about countries like India, australia and japan (eventhough japan is prob more heavily populated)

i think apple has a larger % in the US is cos its nicely catering fot the US rather than the world. iphoto shouldnt be hard to make for th world, but they dont, ok sherlock would be but they still havent made the effort.

[mim]

Originally posted by kettle
Not me.

I will not be paying for iTunes in Euros

I have a huge problem with apple insisting I support a Federal Super State of dubious creation.

Arye, Zommer-zet. Uses wont be a payin in Ueeroz yet!

You'd be paying an amount in pounds that just happens to be equal to $0.99 Euro dollars (so, like 50 something pence). No need to take the political lowroad with this one.

The Euro is so close to the USD at the moment that I'd be suprised if it wan't 0.99 too. It's just such an easy number compared to $1.27

a.

[caveman_uk]

Originally posted by kettle
Not me.

I will not be paying for iTunes in Euros

I have a huge problem with apple insisting I support a Federal Super State of dubious creation.
Jeez, it's only a currency. It's not like they demand you wear Lederhosen or anything.

[Hawthorne]

In regards to all the

"I hope they only charge (insert amount of currency under US$1 here), otherwise buying a CD would be cheaper"
posts..

As was said numerous times on this and every forum that discusses the iTunes Music Stores, in the U.S., It's $.99 a song,

And US$9.99 for an album.

So most albums end up being significantly less money than their physical CD versions, and much less than buying each track individually

[jimjiminyjim]

As another Canadian user mentioned: 9.99 US is NOT cheaper than most CD's in Canada, given the exchange rate.

The convenience of buying only one or two songs is still advantageous though.

[Codemonkey]

Originally posted by CharlesVan
I hope it's 99 cents Cdn a song. Otherwise, it would be the same as buying an actual CD.

No, don't forget, an entire album is $9.99 US. It's majorly discounted. Don't add up the songs on an album and times them by $1.49 CDN or whatever they want to charge. I don't think that's even remotely realistic speculation.

I was thinking about this on the weekend, and $1.49 per song and $14.99 or so for the album would be a heckuva deal for most quality albums out there.

For example, I just picked up a top-30 CD the other day for $19.50-ish CDN. $13.99 would be a breath of fresh air.

[Ugg]

Originally posted by mim
Arye, Zommer-zet. Uses wont be a payin in Ueeroz yet!

You'd be paying an amount in pounds that just happens to be equal to $0.99 Euro dollars (so, like 50 something pence). No need to take the political lowroad with this one.

The Euro is so close to the USD at the moment that I'd be suprised if it wan't 0.99 too. It's just such an easy number compared to $1.27

a.

Excuse me?!?! the Euro as of Friday was trading at 1 to USD .87. The USD has lost about 30% of its value in the last few months.

[adamfilip]

when it comes to Canada

i can see prices being $1.50 a song CDN.

if its 99 CDN. well then that like 70 Cents US. and im guessing that the americans wont be to happy if canadians get cheaper music.

[Izzy]

Originally posted by Codemonkey
No, don't forget, an entire album is $9.99 US. It's majorly discounted. Don't add up the songs on an album and times them by $1.49 CDN or whatever they want to charge. I don't think that's even remotely realistic speculation.

I was thinking about this on the weekend, and $1.49 per song and $14.99 or so for the album would be a heckuva deal for most quality albums out there.

For example, I just picked up a top-30 CD the other day for $19.50-ish CDN. $13.99 would be a breath of fresh air.


I would be happy if they would give us the same price as the American version. If you take $9.99/album and convert it to Canadian funds at the current rate the cost would be about $13 Cdn.

It is possible to find new releases for close to this now, but catalog albums are usually quite a bit more. If they could price it at this level, I think they would do quite well.

[vanillamike]

If its going to be $1.50 Canadian a song and $15.00 Canadian for a CD I would like to have that taxes. We pay a 15% tax up here so its not that great of a break in my opinion.

Mike

[Codemonkey]

Originally posted by Izzy
I would be happy if they would give us the same price as the American version. If you take $9.99/album and convert it to Canadian funds at the current rate the cost would be about $13 Cdn.

It is possible to find new releases for close to this now, but catalog albums are usually quite a bit more. If they could price it at this level, I think they would do quite well.

If there's too much "deal" given to us Canucks, everyone will hate us more than they do now. :-)

And depending on if we're the next country to jump on board, they'll likely have to set a precedent with us.

What are the chances that the largest segment of the iTunes Music Store sales are going to be gouged (read: the US)? None. Because when you reverse the equation that's exactly what it'll look like.

As well, if you notice, the CDN dollar is at like a 10 year high or something (due directly to the failing US dollar)... but that's not going to last forever. The cost for songs will likely be fixed, not float... in which case they'll pick a number that gives them enough breathing room to still make their profits.

[rjgjonker]

Originally posted by vanillamike
If its going to be $1.50 Canadian a song and $15.00 Canadian for a CD I would like to have that taxes. We pay a 15% tax up here so its not that great of a break in my opinion.

Dutch VAT is 19%. An average music CD costs about EUR 22,50 here (including VAT, off course).

[BaghdadBob]

I think the record companies are going to want iTMS prices to proportionately reflect the normal CD prices in a given country, unless they want to overhaul their pricing structure in countries where prices for CDs translate to significantly more dinero than in the US.

I really don't know what domestic CD prices are like in other countries, but I think we can all (OK, "we" being those of us in the US) attest they have gone up considerably in the last decade in the US.

This may end up being the biggest challenge for this service, depending on how bad that diffferential is.

Can either

A: Someone who has a source for a list of such info provide a link

or

B: Residents of our beloved international communities relate how the prices of their CDs translate to USD?

I think that would help some of us get a good perspective on this.

[Jimmni]

It's not unusual for a CD here in England to cost $26 (~£16). Most non-chart, non-sale CDs in HMV or Virgin will cost $24-$26 (~£16). If it's an import, add another $10-15 (anything up to about £28, though I once saw £32.99 for a japanese import). Chart CDs have dropped in the last couple of years from $21 (~£13) or so to $16-18 (~£10-£11), with the supermarkets battling and pushing down the prices. Without sales, though, that's as cheap as CDs get, really. Of course, in sales you find them all prices.

I know a lot of these prices aren't really relevant, but I thought I'd include them anyway.

I haven't bought many CDs recently, except in sales... they just cost too much. So if I'm wrong in any of these prices, I hope someone points it out. If you pay less for CDs though, I want to know where you're shopping!

I really can't see the big 5 letting Apple sell us songs for less than 99p a song. Unfortunately, a lot of people won't buy that. Bearing in mind though that singles seem to cost about $6.50 (~£4) nowadays, and people just might. I certainly wouldn't though. Not with Americans paying 99c. When I can, I always buy my Cds with an order from Amazon US... With a couple of CDs and a couple of books, even with the huge postage it ends up a saving...

[kansaigaijin]

Bob why don't you get in your car and drive for about an hour to Richmond and check the prices at the Future Shop yourself? Remember the US$ is still, what? a 1.40 canadian? and CDs are generally under C$20. I have not been in a record store since returning from Japan, so I couldn't tell you exactly, but historically vinyl and CDs have been much cheaper in Vancouver, probably the cheapest in the western world. Brits visiting Vancouver go on CD shopping sprees when they see the prices. That is why canadians will be reluctant to pay US prices (adjusted to exchange rates). Brit and US prices are too high, hence the music stealing problem.

Japan, about 2500yen or C$30 for a CD, a huge rip-off. They can actually rent CDs, though.

Copying is not illegal in Canada, we have a tax on recordable media, it gets distributed to artists (copyright holders).

[MyLeftNut]

Prices here in Australia can be ridiculously high too. JB HiFi a retailer here usually has the best discount on top 20 CDs (anywhere from $22.00 - $30.00 for double CDs) (can someone else provide better figures?).

I can understand why its US only for the moment. For Steve to have gotten the companies to agree to what they have, must have been a monumental acheivement. To get through the legal ramifications for each country is going to be difficult. Exchange rates besides there is also the problem of localisation as mentioned before. Here in Oz the local producers dont want a reduction in prices for fear of killing the music scene here and supporting up coming bands...this is their rationale anyway...

BTW Codemonkey:
If there's too much "deal" given to us Canucks, everyone will hate us more than they do now. :-)

We dont hate you mate, just a few idiots in the American government at the moment....;)

[Ugg]

What is needed here is a new currency. It would be computer and multimedia oriented, free from exchange fluctuations, and only available to Apple computer users and named the Apple! Well, it was a thought.

[kansaigaijin]

we already get a decent price, it is just that noone knows about it. shhhhh don't tell anyone else.

and hey Aussies, we have Canadian content rules, a certain percentage of radio time has to be Canadian content. Not onerous at all. That insufferable Adams guy doesn't like it, but he lives in London anyway.

[BaghdadBob]

Canada has a special tax on recordable media? Man that's b*******. Some people buy CD-RWs for something other than copying music, such as myself. And recording artists did nothing to help me create my Photoshop files (well, maybe NIN helped a little bit), so I have no interest in supporting them while backing up my HD.

You guys have some weird laws up there. No wonder you're all so nutty ;)

NE-WAYZ, if I lived close to Richmond VA I'd be a happy NASCAR fan. Other than that I don't know where else there is a Richmond...Canada? I'll be close to Canada in ten days or so, but not yet.

Also, copying CDs isn't really illegal here either, but distributing them is.

This whole pricing issue is sticky. I think we will all just have to hope for the best...

[kansaigaijin]

so Bob, where is Visalia?

you will be close to Richmond, B.C. maybe 1 hour from Bellingham.

[ipman]

Originally posted by Sol

...I do not see the point of opening an Apple Music Store here without Australian content. The same goes for every other country where the service is not offered yet.


I have to disagree. I can't speak for other countries, but as far as Australia goes, I think Apple _would_ make money without Australian-specific content. So much of the music sold here is created by international (esp US) artists, that I think the store could be profitable without Australian content.

It would be _more_ successful with Australian music, but I don't believe it would be crucial. I think the same would be true for many if not all other international markets in the west, and perhaps to a lesser degree even in the east.

[BaghdadBob]

Visalia is in the god-forsaken Central San Jouaquin Valley, AKA the breadbasket of the world, in central Cali. Think south of Fresno, or in more recent dubious news (all we're known for around here) about two hours south of Modesto (see: Laci Peterson). We sport the worst air in the US, officially worse than Houston, and in Tulare county we either have or are within 45 minutes of (Fresno) the worst, at a state and often national level:

Teen pregnancy
Unsafe places to drive
Percentage of high school graduates going to college
Car theft rate
Murder rate
Drop-out rate
Occurances of many health issues, including thyroidism
Meth production
...And more!

We also lay claim to:
About 110+ days over 95°, generally with a few weeks over 100°, getting as high as 115° or so every year
Near-desert precipitation rates (and we're all about ag, oddly)
Huge high-low temp differentials with jelly-brain-thick fog in winter, causing those fifty-car pileups you may hear about (we call it Tule fog)
17.9% unemployment rate
A potentially fatal bug for newcomers known as Valley Fever
Air that causes allergies to people who have never suffered from allergies -- including myself

And I might mention it's flat as a pancake, ugly as sin, and full of ignorant people here. I'm just glad I wasn't born here, and I am so happy to be leaving after about 7-8 years (right after two in Hawaii, no less). You can probably see why now, especially considering how beautiful it is in Washington.

Sorry for the off-topic rant, but I had to share my pain.

uhhhh....go iTMS Internationale!

[Wardofsky]

Originally posted by encro
Australia???

Isn't that some form of spaghetti?

Another Melbournian M-Rumorer.

Well, Aus hasn't even got sherlock support which was "in the works" with Movie, Address, Airlines.

Please, if Apple doesn't want me to steal music, give me an alternative soon.

[maradong]

let itunes for the european marked be aviable, and do it fast.
:D

[HoserHead]

Still waiting, sadly. Does anyone know any more about this, like dates?

[ZeeOwl]

That's good news. I'm sure that it will get some extra cash for Apple. And if they make a few adjustments, they might even sell me a few tunes. But until they do, I'll keep buying CDs. I just don't think the benefits outweigh the inconveniences, yet...

[Buggy]

ITMS may be a success in Canada and Australia for another reason than cost.

Much of the population is very far away from city centers and their only real method of music purchases are by mail order. (now online)

Australia 2 person per sq km
Canada 3 person per sq km
US 29 person per sq km

additional:
I live in vancouver. The current price that is available on itunes is too high for me to consider it. We have some of the lowest prices in the world.
$10-$20 canadian each (top sellers around $15-20) pay any more and you are getting hosed.

thats is $7.40- $14.80 us per cd. And you cd the physical CD, full quality audio and foldout art work. They would have to beat that price for me to personally consider it. Currently I buy, burn and archive for convienance.
I may consider it for $9.99 Canadian but DEFINATELY not $9.99 us (13.50 ca).
As for availability. We have great record stores in Vancouver. (for those that don't know Vancouver is one of the music recording centers of the world.)

[Ugg]

The following article is in today's Der Spiegel.



Rührig kratzten Apple-Vertreter bereits Mitte Mai an den Türen auch deutscher Kleinlabels und machten denen mit tollen Angeboten den Mund wässrig:

Der Spiegel (http://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/netzkultur/0,1518,252353,00.html) article
Translation
Apple has been actively knocking on the doors of Germany's small record labels since the middle of May and mouths have been watering over the great offers.

So, Apple hasnt' been wasting any time, it looks as though they mean to become the distributor of music world wide.

[aethier]

Originally posted by Buggy
ITMS may be a success in Canada and Australia for another reason than cost.

Much of the population is very far away from city centers and their only real method of music purchases are by mail order. (now online)

Jee you western provinces are the last place i want to live, here in the idutrialised, moderm part of canada (Montréal Québec) we are not lacking music stores, nor do we have to mail order do to the "lack of city centers" must suck being a farmer or whatever things your do out west

aethier

and stop refering to us as cacucks you makes us seem like idiots

[MacKid]

Originally posted by Hozie
Well, I for one would never buy at the equivalent of 99p because at that point, it becomes cheaper to just go out and buy the CD. I think the 0.99$ is right on the mark, so if I were Apple, I wouldn't stray too far from that price.

WOW!!! IN THE U.K., YOU GET CD'S FOR LESS THAN THE EQUIVALENT OF $1.65!!!??? THAT'S AMAZING!!!

[MacKid]

WHAT'S ALL THIS ARGUMENT ABOUT CURRENCY ABOUT??? When you buy stuff online, you can buy something in other currencies and have it automatically exchanged (i.e., PayPal, things like that). So, on the iTMS, they could charge the same price for everyone (99¢, and commonly $9.99), and everything would be perfectly equal and exchanged.:cool:

[Ugg]

Originally posted by MacKid
WHAT'S ALL THIS ARGUMENT ABOUT CURRENCY ABOUT??? When you buy stuff online, you can buy something in other currencies and have it automatically exchanged (i.e., PayPal, things like that). So, on the iTMS, they could charge the same price for everyone (99¢, and commonly $9.99), and everything would be perfectly equal and exchanged.:cool:

That is perfectly fine for most people out there at this particular moment in time. Especially since the dollar has LOST 30% of its value in the past year against most major currencies. What happens when the dollar gains 30%? People are not going to pay a 30% premium just because of currency fluctuations! The only way it will work is if the Euro price is equal to or less than what Europeans would pay in in Euros for a CD. Same with Canada, OZ, SA, UK, etc.

Since the major Apple markets already have an Apple.com store in place, I'm sure that they will be responsible for the financial side of things and that the price will remain stable within a currency and will not fluctuate based on exchange rates.

The EU, like the US is going to have a serious problem though in that VAT rates just like sales tax rates are different throughout the EU. If a business is located in Belgium where I believe they have a lower VAT rate then what happens when a customer from Germany buys a product? Does that customer pay the Belgian VAT rate or the German one, and does Germany get the money or Belgium?

The currency and exchange issues are probably the least of Apple's worries, I'm sure that it's the licensing with the labels/artists that is proving to be the biggest headache.

[Buggy]

aethier:

"and stop refering to us as cacucks you makes us seem like idiots"

??? is you French - English translator not functioning? I never said the word "cacucks" whatever that means.

I knew that Montreal was in financial troubles even with all of the government projects (bailouts) but I never thought it was so bad that you were insecure about your being considered a city center. Or was it that you suffer from a similair problem as those in Toronto, "if you can't see it from the CN tower then it doesn't exist." If you can't see it from Mont-Royal...

Facts for you.
Quebec: Population Density 5.3 persons per square km
British Columbia: Population Density 4.2 persons per square km
Alberta: Population Density 4.6 persons per square km

Your province is not much different from ours. (and please refrain from meaningless slanders such as "more modern city etc... it is obvious you have never been here)

There are MANY MANY people in ALL of Canada who do not live in major cities, ITM may be a great service for these people.

re: what we do... not much. Life is very relaxed on bc bud. :)

[aethier]

Quebec: Population Density 5.3 persons per square km
British Columbia: Population Density 4.2 persons per square km
Alberta: Population Density 4.6 persons per square km


Jee, heres something to concider, Québec is the largest province in canada. It is also larger then the largest us state. so obviously our population dencity will be simular to that of the redkneck provinces. had you not been to bussy milking your cows, and actualy went to school, you would know that.

and Toronto is a crappy Montréal wannabe. it is dirty and smells bad. i would shoot myslef before been forced to live elsewhere in canada other then quebec.

aethier

to all the other people sorry for going of topic

[Izzy]

Originally posted by aethier
Jee, heres something to concider, Québec is the largest province in canada. It is also larger then the largest us state. so obviously our population dencity will be simular to that of the redkneck provinces. had you not been to bussy milking your cows, and actualy went to school, you would know that.

and Toronto is a crappy Montréal wannabe. it is dirty and smells bad. i would shoot myslef before been forced to live elsewhere in canada other then quebec.

aethier

to all the other people sorry for going of topic

I think Buggy's point about getting music to rural areas is a good one. There are many places in the rural areas of the country where it is difficult to get music that is outside of the mainstream. You would be hard pressed to find music stores in rural Canada that stock 250,000 titles like the itunes store does.

As for your other comments, I'm sure Montreal is a fine city. However, given your ignorant comments about western Canada I suggest it it is you that could use more education.

[Ugg]

Originally posted by aethier
i would shoot myslef before been forced to live elsewhere in canada other then quebec.


Then you've never been to Vancouver, the most vibrant, beautiful, cosmopolitan, welcoming city in North America, IMHO. Montreal, although beautiful in an historical way and charming in its Quebecois way simply does not compare to Vancouver.

It's been said that French culture doesn't export well and I would have to agree.

[Potus]

I spend a week in Vancouver every summer. It's practically paradise. Beautiful. Clean. Fantastic food. Diverse. Great museums and art galleries. An amazing music scene. And the incredible Canadian courtesy. Love it.

[visor]

Originally posted by valypan
Good news for us European users at last.
If they are going to give priority to countries where internet is more popular, like they hinted on the article, then I guess scandinavia is at the top of the list, also considering how popular broadband is over here.

http://research.analysys.com/default.asp?mode=jdt2

So fingers crossed for us :)

hm, how many inhabitants does scandinavia have? sweden was 8 million by last count if remember correctly... thats not to much of a market...

[pianojoe]

The EU, like the US is going to have a serious problem though in that VAT rates just like sales tax rates are different throughout the EU. If a business is located in Belgium where I believe they have a lower VAT rate then what happens when a customer from Germany buys a product? Does that customer pay the Belgian VAT rate or the German one, and does Germany get the money or Belgium?

That's an easy one. The iTMS will charge the appropriate VAT for the country you reside (according to your credit card information). This should be good enough for most tax departments.

BTW, when I (physically) buy a CD in, say, Belgium, and I take it home to, say, Germany, I can have the Belgium VAT refunded at Belgium customs, but will have to pay German VAT at the German customs office a few yards down the road.

[sinclairZX81]

Originally posted by Potus
I spend a week in Vancouver every summer. It's practically paradise. Beautiful. Clean. Fantastic food. Diverse. Great museums and art galleries. An amazing music scene. And the incredible Canadian courtesy. Love it.

Vancouver's pretty nice... for a weekend. I'd be bored after a week

[sinclairZX81]

Originally posted by kettle
Not me.

I will not be paying for iTunes in Euros

I have a huge problem with apple insisting I support a Federal Super State of dubious creation.

:rolleyes:

Where be that wurzel too?
I know where 'e be,
He be up yon wurzel tree and I be after 'e,
With a gurt big stick* I'll knock 'im down,
Wurzel I'll 'ave 'e!


*marked only in metric units, thanks very much

[Wardofsky]

I'm not worried, I'll keep on getting them through P2P until Apple decides to do something.

[Potus]

Eric Hoffer:
When people are bored, it is primarily with their own selves that they are bored.

[sinclairZX81]

Originally posted by Potus
Eric Hoffer:
When people are bored, it is primarily with their own selves that they are bored.

ha. sure. when I am bored in London or LA, NYC , Sao Paulo or even San Francisco I'll feel bad. I and several friends spent some time in Vancouver and there is not much going on. sorry. small city. very pretty, great outdoorsy stuff but not a really happening place my friend.

[crazyastro]

<sarcasm> It's nice to see that under the International iTunes topic that a great many of us have nothing better to do than argue about each others location. Its enlightening to realise that some people of the Apple community are very small and closed minded. </sarcasm>

I think the iTunes Music Store is an amazing new option for those of us who like to buy music. Hopefully, if the price is right, I will be able to use this service when it becomes available in Canada. I can't say that it will be the definitive music source, but I have faith in Apple and expect to see great things.

[Potus]

Jack Kornfield
Mindfulness in a way is the opposite of grasping, or attachment, or identification.

[Buggy]

My points regarding ITMS' pro's and cons in Canada after Aethier forwarded his attack on "anything not Montreal" derailed this thread.

I am sorry to those that did not enjoy Vancouver on their visits. True it is a smaller city with only 1.8 million in the core area and another 1.5 million in greater Vancouver.

Vancouver is a city for active people who do things for themselves (windsurfing, snowboarding, mountain biking, kayaking, golfing, hockey, soccer, mountain climbing, etc. etc, etc. etc. ). It is not a great city for those type of people that like to watch people be active or have people do things for them (ie theater, opera, etc. etc. boring in my mind, but hey, each to their own).

For those that did visit and enjoy it, come on back, we do love visitors from every country and from every background.

My points re: ITMS
#1) Vancouver prices for CD's are too low for it too be successful in the city.
#2) BC (and most of Canada) is sparsely popuated and would be an excellent service for those on near a city.

When ITMS comes to Canada , I would love to see a method of searching by country.
This may be a great way for local bands to get some exposure. (even the 30 sec clips would help a small band). Imagine gogin to a club and instead of them flogging their CD's at the door, they instead have a banner "download us @ iTunes" or they could even give previews to their gigs on posters "Playing at The Commodore Friday 'bandx' check them out on iTunes then enjoy the show".... ok so I am not a marketing genius with slogons, but I hope you understand my point.

Also it may help a friend of mine (Canadian) who for some odd reason is really into Techno from Finland.

re: my opinion of Montreal... I loved the city. It is possible to like many things in life and not only covet the best as the only, finding value in everything is a much better way to enjoy the diversity of life.

Aethier you need to visit BC, maybe you and I could even pass one around.