Apple launching iTunes Match internationally in UK, Europe, Australia
On the heels of the arrival of iTunes Match in Brazil, Apple on Wednesday began rolling out its new music service to a number of other countries, including France, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, though some users report having trouble activating it.
Apple launched iTunes Match in the U.S. in mid-November, a couple weeks later than originally planned. Announced in June, the $24.99-per-year service allows users to match up to 25,000 songs from their iTunes music collection with songs on the iTunes Music Store, thereby making matched songs available in iCloud.
Reports emerged around the world Wednesday evening that the service was gradually going live in a range of countries. According to TheNextWeb, iTunes Match prices range from £21.99 in the U.K., ?24.99 in France and AUD$39.99. The service also appears to have arrived in Canada for CAD$27.99.
However, there appear to be some early problems with the launch, as a number of users report being unable to sign up for or access the service yet. The issues are likely just kinks in the system as the service goes live, as customers in Brazil reported a similar experience when iTunes Match arrived there earlier this week, but it's also possible that the launch was accidental.
In September, it was reported that Apple was negotiating international licenses for cloud-based music similar to agreements it had reached in the U.S.
Analysts don't expect Apple to make much profit off the service, but they do see it as an important opportunity for the company to further develop its iTunes ecosystem. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster recently called projected revenue from iTunes Match "immaterial," likening it to the iTunes Music Store and App Store, which are meant to drive hardware sales while earning modest profits.
Apple launched iTunes Match in the U.S. in mid-November, a couple weeks later than originally planned. Announced in June, the $24.99-per-year service allows users to match up to 25,000 songs from their iTunes music collection with songs on the iTunes Music Store, thereby making matched songs available in iCloud.
Reports emerged around the world Wednesday evening that the service was gradually going live in a range of countries. According to TheNextWeb, iTunes Match prices range from £21.99 in the U.K., ?24.99 in France and AUD$39.99. The service also appears to have arrived in Canada for CAD$27.99.
However, there appear to be some early problems with the launch, as a number of users report being unable to sign up for or access the service yet. The issues are likely just kinks in the system as the service goes live, as customers in Brazil reported a similar experience when iTunes Match arrived there earlier this week, but it's also possible that the launch was accidental.
In September, it was reported that Apple was negotiating international licenses for cloud-based music similar to agreements it had reached in the U.S.
Analysts don't expect Apple to make much profit off the service, but they do see it as an important opportunity for the company to further develop its iTunes ecosystem. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster recently called projected revenue from iTunes Match "immaterial," likening it to the iTunes Music Store and App Store, which are meant to drive hardware sales while earning modest profits.
Comments
Forty bucks is a pretty big ask, f*&k you ARIA.
But obviously they are getting ready to release something soon.
I'm in New Zealand and have no 'Turn On iTunes Match' in my iTunes...
Oh, I see, you can from this link: https://buy.itunes.apple.com/WebObje...workflowID=260
It's $40 in New Zealand.
On the heels of the arrival of iTunes Match in Brazil, Apple on Wednesday began rolling out its new music service to a number of other countries, including France, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, though some users report having trouble activating it.
Apple launched iTunes Match in the U.S. in mid-November, a couple weeks later than originally planned. Announced in June, the $24.99-per-year service allows users to match up to 25,000 songs from their iTunes music collection with songs on the iTunes Music Store, thereby making matched songs available in iCloud.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ][/c]
I just tried to sign up for it, but I have more than 25,000 songs not purchased from iTunes. Time to move all the royalty free tracks I have to a different account. :-(
We must not be part of 'Europe' anymore
According to AppleInsider, Europe consists of France. UK isn't an European country either, apparently.
Another point: I have read somewhere that in some cases (for some US-customers) added lyrics got deleted with iTunes Match. And also some manually added artwork.
According to AppleInsider, Europe consists of France. UK isn't an European country either, apparently.
There aren't that many people in the UK that want us to be part of the EU anyway.
Don't know why the UK has to pay £22, £19.60 (which includes our VAT/Taxes) would be about the same as the USA.
Either way I'm signing up for the service, glad it came out so soon after the states.
Seems like they have charged me for a service i cannot use yet...
Better this way, Match isn't ready for prime time so they should fix it before rolling out buggy software to more regions.
No update to the article that this was a false alarm and they are giving people refunds? Way to stay on top of things.
Better this way, Match isn't ready for prime time so they should fix it before rolling out buggy software to more regions.
Absolutely agree with this. AI needs to follow-up on this fuckup.
On a different note what's with the $27.99 charge instead of $24.99...ya it's only a couple of bucks but the dollar is at par now...but I am happy this (or will be) offered in Canada.
Sucks for people in other countries getting gouged, like NZ and Australia.
Hope this works soon so I can reclaim my lost music (original NAS crashed, lost a ton of music, but they still have a placeholder in my iTunes Library).
What's price in London ??
Try reading the story.