Apple launches iTunes in the Cloud service in Japan

Posted:
in iPod + iTunes + AppleTV edited January 2014


Apple has continued the international expansion of its iTunes in the Cloud service, allowing iOS users in Japan to automatically download iTunes song purchases on their devices.



iTunes users can now access the "Purchased" tab within the iTunes Store application on iOS devices, Japanese-language site Macotakara reported on Tuesday. Users can also turn on automatic downloading of Music on their iOS device, along with automatic downloads of applications and books.



iTunes in the Cloud offers users the ability to re-download their content on a number of devices without the need to purchase it again. It applies to music, applications and books that are bought through Apple.



Users can even have iTunes in the Cloud functionality extend to their personal collection of music, which may have been downloaded from other storefronts or ripped from a CD, with the iTunes Match service. iTunes Match launched late last year in the U.S., soon after the rest of the iTunes in the Cloud service rolled out. It costs $24.99 per year.



The addition of iTunes in the Cloud to Japan could be a sign that Apple plans to bring iTunes Match to yet another country in the near future. As of Tuesday, iTunes Match does not yet work in Japan.



International roll-out of iTunes Match has continued steadily since it debuted in the U.S., expanding to the U.K., Europe and Australia in December. It expanded to 19 more countries across Latin America and Europe in January, bringing its total to 37.



[ View article on AppleInsider ]

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 5
    That's funny, considering iTunes Japan is the only iTunes store that still uses 128kbps DRM AAC. Even worse, Japanese labels (especially Avex) has pulled a ton of their stuff from iTunes US.
  • Reply 2 of 5
    solipsismxsolipsismx Posts: 19,566member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by pika2000 View Post


    That's funny, considering iTunes Japan is the only iTunes store that still uses 128kbps DRM AAC. Even worse, Japanese labels (especially Avex) has pulled a ton of their stuff from iTunes US.



    I didn't realize they are still 128kps -and- DRMed. Is iTS for music even popular over there?



    Hopefully one day many countries will use the same dates and licenses for distribution for music, TV shows and movies.
  • Reply 3 of 5
    aizmovaizmov Posts: 989member
    Yay! I don't need to worry about backing up my purchases anymore!
  • Reply 4 of 5
    aizmovaizmov Posts: 989member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by pika2000 View Post


    That's funny, considering iTunes Japan is the only iTunes store that still uses 128kbps DRM AAC. Even worse, Japanese labels (especially Avex) has pulled a ton of their stuff from iTunes US.



    Not on all songs. Anyways they are offering iTunes Plus now.
  • Reply 5 of 5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by pika2000 View Post


    That's funny, considering iTunes Japan is the only iTunes store that still uses 128kbps DRM AAC. Even worse, Japanese labels (especially Avex) has pulled a ton of their stuff from iTunes US.



    Until yesterday I thought getting Tunes Match to Japan would take a lot of negotiation. EMI was the only major western label to offer iTunes Plus, the Sony CBS catalog isn't available, etc. http://web.me.com/jbreckinridge/Japa...for_Japan.html



    Just purchased an AKB48 song (King Records, who previously said DRM free over our dead body), a whole new end user license agreement popped up and viola, 256kbps iTunes Plus. I also noticed the ¥250 track price. Am I imagining things or was it selling for ¥200 yesterday?
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