iTunes Music Store reportedly ready for Latin America debut

After initially reporting that iTunes Music Store would be launching in Brazil on Dec. 8, Vega magazine updated its story on Wednesday, saying that the rollout now includes all of Latin America, according to The Next Web.

There has been no official announcement from Apple regarding the purported launch, however rumblings pointing to an imminent iTunes release in the region have recently grown louder.

Details surrounding the debut give anecdotal backing to the rumors, the latest being that songs by the "King of Latin Music," Roberto Carlos, will be available on launch. Carlos is immensely popular in Latin America, and because he has yet to release any albums in the digital format, Apple has a powerful tool in marketing the iTunes Music Store to the Latin public.

The Brazilian magazine notes that besides Mexico's version of iTunes, music has not been available through the region's online storefront, with users only being able to download apps, eBooks and podcasts for their iOS devices.

The launch comes with stipulations, however, as Brazilian customers will initially be forced to pay in dollars with internationally-backed credit cards. Veja thinks that this will be temporary, and sees Apple being able to charge users in their local currency within six months.

Currently, Apple's iTunes website for Brazil advertises the online store as merely a music management application, with the only mention of available purchases being apps and eBooks.

Rounding out the Latin American rumors, Apple is supposedly looking to open a regional office in either Sao Paulo, Brazil or Chile. There has been no official word that the Cupertino, Calif. company is even considering an office in the region, but local sources have reported "proof" that Apple will indeed break ground in at least one of the two countries.