Apples iTunes digital music service has already surpassed 1 million downloads since it's debut last Thursday in Japan. Calling the acceptance a "huge success" Apple's Steve Jobs can add Japan to the list of 20 countries and the first in Asia that can buy music over the Internet from his music store. Some 500 million tracks have been ordered worldwide and iTunes has an 80% share of the legal market.
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iTunes is cheaper than many similar services in Japan, with most songs available for download for 150 yen ($1.35). However, it is more expensive than its US counterpart - launched two years ago - where songs cost about $1. About 15 Japanese record labels have signed up to iTunes but Sony Music Entertainment - Sony's music division - has yet to register. The success of iTunes has helped Apple reinforce its pre-eminence in the digital music technology market. "If they have a very successful launch in Japan, there is a very good chance that iTunes will become the de facto standard," said John Yang, equity analyst at Standard & Poor's. |
Hmm, Steve Jobs looks a bit like action star Steven Segall there in that shot. No doubt Job's is thrilled with the news of this successful launch. The BBC News article states that even though the iPod has sold over 22 million units since it's launch in 2001, that Sony in recent months has been making inroads with thier own music players. Some analysts are predicting that the iTunes store in Japan will boost sales there of the iPod which already enjoys a 35% market share.
Source: BBC News
