“Apple has moved a step closer to launching its long-awaited iTunes online music store in New Zealand, taking over the itunes.co.nz domain name from a Dunedin businessman who first registered the web address,” Reuben Schwarz writes for The Sydney Morning Herald. “The move preceded the launch last week of CokeTunes, a big 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.”
“Neither Apple nor its New Zealand reseller Renaissance would comment on the purchase or the status of plans for an iTunes launch,” Schwarz writes. “Apple seemed poised to launch an Australian iTunes site in May, one month after it acquired the itunes.com.au domain. An Australian newspaper reported that some enterprising Australians even managed to create iTunes accounts with Australian credit cards. However, no site was launched and the accounts were shut down.”
Full article here.
Hopefully, the good people of CokeTunes won’t get too attached to being described as a “big” music download site.
Related articles:
Apple’s iTunes Music Store takes just four days to become Japan’s undisputed online music leader – August 08, 2005
Apple’s Japan iTunes Music Store sells one million songs in first four days – August 07, 2005
Apple’s iTunes Music Store offers Japan’s largest library; Napster plans April 2006 launch in Japan – August 04, 2005
Apple’s Japan iTunes Music Store debut more bad news for Sony – August 04, 2005
Apple launches iTunes Music Store in Japan – August 03, 2005
Over half a billion songs have been sold from Apple’s iTunes Music Store – July 17, 2005
Hopefully, the good people of CokeTunes won’t get too attached to being described as a “big” music download site.
ROTFLMFAO!
Slightly off topic, I know ….but there’s news about Apple making huge end-roads into the Enterprise market !!
Yes !! …. Mac OS Tiger will be shipping with a BSOD Widget !!
Very cool idea !!
Full story.. Here
mac dood, I hope you meant “inroads.”
“End roads” doesn’t sound like what Apple wants at all!
Thanx Dennis … I stand corrected
I hadn’t had my morning coffee at the time, and was thinking in terms of an “end-around” …
Oh well… guess I have the NFL on the brain !!
You mean the nose candy company is selling tunes in NZ? Is nothing sacred downunder?
You mean the nose candy company is selling tunes in NZ? Is nothing sacred downunder?
Yes they just started at the weekend and are getting quite a bit of promotion on the radio
http://www.cokefridge.co.nz/index.sm
Only problem is you need IE to use the site and WMP!
NZ has some amazing musical talent with a very strong foundation for such a small population (4 million). The government right up to the Prime minister herself is totally supportive of the local talent and fund it quite well.
Pity then that label constraints won’t allow us to purchase music from other stores though. Ideally there should just be one store glabally we can all browse and purchase from. Also, gift certificates between countries appear unuseable too. Total nonsense (but perfect sense to the labels apparently).
Screw the Kiwis when are the Aussies gonna get ‘The Store’ ????
mw = now. I kid you not.