Apple launches iTunes for Australia

Apple today finally launched its iTunes Music Store in Australia, offering Australian music fans Apple's innovative features, breakthrough pricing and seamless integration with iPod. Now available in 21 countries, iTunes features the most music of any digital music store in Australia with over one million songs from major and independent record labels and over 1,000 music videos. Songs are priced at just $1.69 per song and $3.39 per video, while most albums are priced at $16.99 including GST. "We're thrilled to bring the revolutionary iTunes Music Store to Australia," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes. "iTunes features the largest catalogue of local and international music in Australia with over one million songs, enabling music fans to purchase their favourites with one click and have them automatically sync to their iPod."

The local iTunes store features exclusive music tracks from Australian artists Missy Higgins, Bernard Fanning, Paul Mac, Evermore, Gyroscope and The Dissociatives. Extensive catalogues are available from Australian greats INXS, Hunters & Collectors, Paul Kelly and Slim Dusty. In addition, there are iTunes Originals from local heroes Spiderbait, and international stars R.E.M., Alanis Morissette, LL Cool J, PJ Harvey and Sting.

Readers note that the store lacks the TV shows found in the US store but does have music videos and Pixar short films for AUD$3.39; however, Sony BMG artists like Kelly Clarkson and Shannon Noll are not listing in the store.

iTunes also features international exclusives, such as Madonna's entire catalogue, digital box sets from U2 and Stevie Wonder, albums with digital booklets from Jack Johnson and Elvis Costello and more exclusives from Black Eyed Peas, Tiesto, Bloc Party, Elbow, Hayley Westenra and Jamie Cullum. Exclusive videos include U2, an online Beastie Boys exclusive and an extensive Madonna catalogue. The iTunes Podcast Directory features over 25,000 Podcasts, including featured Australian Podcasts from ABC, Triple J, Triple M and SBS Radio.

Purchase and download of songs from the iTunes Music Store requires a valid credit card with a billing address in the country of purchase. Music fans in Australia have the option to use iTunes Music Cards for cash purchases on the iTunes Music Store. iTunes Music Cards are available at Coles Myer as well as through the Apple Store. iTunes Music Cards will be sold in $20, $50 and $100 denominations and are available through Myer, Megamart, BI-LO, Coles Supermarkets, Pick 'n' Pay Hypermarket, Kmart, Target, Coles Express, Officeworks and Harris Technology. Prices include GST.

Filed under: industry
Other story tags: digital music/video