Apple obtains iTunes domain for New Zealand
updated 08:10 am EDT, Mon August 8, 2005
iTunes for New Zealand
Apple has moved a step closer to launching its long-awaited , taking over the itunes.co.nz domain name, according to The Dominion Post. The owner of the site, who previously used the domain to sell iPods via Amazon.com, reached an undisclosed deal in May to transfer the domain; the event, however, was overshadowed by last week's launch of CokeTunes, a music download site for New Zealanders set up by Coca-Cola. "In what's believed to be a first in Australasia, customers can sign up and pay for music downloads using their mobile phones, though only if they are a Telecom customer." CokeTunes offers more than half a million songs for AU$1.75 (albums are AU$18). The report notes that rumors had circulated around the launch of iTunes for Australia last May when several Australian users were able to create iTunes accounts; however, the site was not launched and the accounts were quickly shutdown.
