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Apple launches iTunes music store in Australia
Well, it looks like we are finally getting an iTunes store to call our own. Tracks will cost $1.69 each 
| quote: | Apple launches iTunes in Australia
By Garry Barker
October 25, 2005 - 10:12AM
Finally, it's here. Australia's iTunes Music Store, without doubt the most anticipated music event of the decade, launched officially at 6 am today and the first download began within a second of the electronic doors opening.
Since then the big servers maintained in the main Australian cities by US internet caching company, Akamai have been busy feeding what looks like a music feeding frenzy.
Some fans began trying to log into the store from about midnight sitting beside their computers hitting the refresh button every minute or so and drinking black coffee to keep themselves awake. It made queuing for the first Grand Final tickets look dated.
The music store is launching with 1 million songs, tailored for the Australian market, including what Apple's chief of iTunes, Eddy Cue, calls the biggest and best selection of local independent music yet assembled for an iTMS opening.
This is the 21st music store Apple has opened since its first, Mac-only, US-only download site began two and a half years ago.
Songs cost $A1.69 a track and music videos, playable on the new iPod video, released to the Australian market yesterday, are priced at $3.39. Most music albums, including classical selections, cost $16.99.
Missy Higgins did well at the opening with The Special Two but was quickly overtaken in top spot by End of Fashion's Oh Yeah. By mid-morning, The Veronicas were in third place with 4ever. But Missy Higgins won on volume. Of the top 10 on Australia's iTMS, she had second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh.
Staff reporter adds: Short films from cartoon maker Pixar can also be purchased. No TV clips are as yet available.
Those who buy music from the music store can also pay by using an iTunes Music Store card.
A statement from Coles Myer said it had become the sole outlet for the cards which were available in denominations of $20, $50 and $100.
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