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Wednesday, December 12, 2012, 05:53 am
iTunes now selling and renting movies in 42 newly-opened stores
Apple on Wednesday activated iTunes movie sales for a bulk of the countries in which the online media storefront launched earlier in December, though film selection and availability is somewhat limited and varies from region to region.
A number of AppleInsider readers have reported that movies are now available through iTunes in various countries, such as South Africa, but many stores are only showing films from Disney, Sony and their subsidiaries. It should be noted that not all countries allow for movie rentals or high-definition content.
On Dec. 4, Apple officially opened the iTunes Music Store in 56 countries, offering users access to both local and international artists. However, at launch only Russia, Turkey, India and Indonesia supported movie and video purchases, with no timeline given for future rollouts.
As of this writing, the iTunes Store users now have access to movies in the following newly-added countries:
Europe: Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine
Africa, the Middle East and India: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Botswana, Cape Verde, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, India, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Swaziland, United Arab Emirates, Uganda and Zimbabwe
Asia Pacific: Indonesia, Micronesia, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan
Latin America and the Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago
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Previous Comments View All
Considering India has 200 million consumers on broadly Western incomes those prices in India are overly generous. The vast majority of Indians however - the other 900 million or so - can't even afford a computer so again, pricing for the average income per head of population is ineffective - the poor can't pay, and the rich get a bargain. I'd say that's a prime "goof up" in Apple's marketing.
Rather disappointing assortment and most important: only very few with Dutch subtitles. This will not bring Apple far on the Dutch market.....
Considering India has 200 million consumers on broadly Western incomes those prices in India are overly generous. The vast majority of Indians however - the other 900 million or so - can't even afford a computer so again, pricing for the average income per head of population is ineffective - the poor can't pay, and the rich get a bargain. I'd say that's a prime "goof up" in Apple's marketing.
There are competing digital music sellers in India that charge a little less than Apple. The advantage with iTunes however is that you can buy once and download any number of times. The other one I tried only allows a maximum of 4 downloads.
But speaking about the price, I think the 12-15 INR that is charged per song is the sweet spot where people will buy them. If it was any more expensive people would hesitate to buy it.
I think the songs are more of a 'mass market' item. Compared to the pricing in the West it is really cheap.
However, the flip side is that the hardware costs almost 30% more than what it costs in the US. Of course, there is nothing Apple can do about it currently as it is a Government policy that any company that does not create jobs in India and only wants to sell in India has to pay an import duty of approx. 30%.
The fact that no carrier subsidises iPhones doesn't help either, as you end up paying approximately $1100 for the 64 GB version - if you can actually find it in stock.
Overall, India is still a niche market for Apple. For example, the iPad Mini was available for sale last Friday. However, the authorised reseller from whom I buy all my Apple stuff informed me that there were getting only 1 64 GB White WiFi model. I picked up the only piece they got. They were similarly short on other models as well and by Saturday, the very next day, they were sold out and wait times for new stock is currently at about 3 weeks.
India will not get the attention China currently gets from Apple anytime soon.
Russia is NOT Part of Europe, and neither is Turkey. Get your geography straight.
Russia is NOT Part of Europe, and neither is Turkey. Get your geography straight.
What the frak?! Turkey and part of Russia are definitely in on the continent of Europe.
What the frak?! Turkey and part of Russia are definitely in on the continent of Europe.
What the frak?! Turkey and part of Russia are definitely in on the continent of Europe.
You're half right (oh, right, Instanbul. Cheaters). Never mind.
Oh, no. It's the "Americas" all over again! 
Rather disappointing assortment and most important: only very few with Dutch subtitles. This will not bring Apple far on the Dutch market.....
Apple can't sell what the Studios don't give
Only part of Turkey is Europe, a pretty small part. Most of it is Asia. But they are a part of NATO which only has European members plus the USA and they are also pushing for EU membership (don't think it will ever happen).
If Turkey is part of NATO, which would be by their request, and applying for EU membership, then it seems pretty clear that they identify themselves as European, not Asian. Regardless of the actual geography
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Movies are still priced a little too high for rental and sales in India. Music on the other hand is pretty decent. A full album costs less than $3!
Apple is still working out some teething problems though. They had priced the Pink Floyd Discovery box set at Rs. 120 (approx. $2.5) and I bought it on the day iTunes launched. Now however, checking the price, it is Rs.1600 (approx. $30). I think they realised it was not a single album, but a box set and have adjusted the price accordingly.
I wonder how many other goof-ups happened.