iTunes 4.8 adds video support, Yorkdale store photos, more

Apple tomorrow will hold a press conference in Zurich, Switzerland to unveil a localized version of its iTunes music download service, according to French iPod news site iPodGeneration.

The press event is scheduled for 11:30am local time, according to the news site. No further details were reported and it remains unclear if iTunes music stores for Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Australia will be part of the announcement.

Last week a source told The Courier-Mail that Apple had planned to launch an Australian version of its iTunes music store on April 28th, but had to sideline plans because one unnamed major record company refused to sign an agreement in time.

The Australian launch was originally rumored to coincide with the launch of iTunes music stores in the four aforementioned countries.

Apple Store Yorkdale

Canada's first Apple retail store, located in the Yorkdale Shopping Center, could open as early as next week.

Over the weekend workers preparing the store for launch apparently vacated the premise without closing the makeshift doors behind them. One member of ehMac, a Canadian Mac community site, was able to snap the first photos (page 1, page 2) of the store's near-complete interior.

The Yorkdale Shopping Center has penciled the Apple Store for a May 14th launch, according to AppleInsider correspondents. However, mall representatives said the date is an approximation.

iTunes 4.8 Plays QuickTime Movies

Apple today quietly released iTunes 4.8. According to the company, the software "includes new Music Store features and support for transferring contacts and calendars from your computer to your iPod."

One feature Apple curiously failed to mention is video support. The new version is capable of not only storing, but also displaying QuickTime video content (picture 1, picture2, picture3).

New options built into the iTunes "Advanced" preference pane let users choose whether they want video content to display in "the main window," "a separate window," or "full screen."

Let the speculation begin...