Speculation is rife that Apple’s famous iTunes Store will become available for South African users in September. This could possibly be in-line with the release of the iPhone5 (the New iPhone?) and iOS 6.0 which is also slated for release in September.
The announcement was made by Yoel Kenan at the Mobile Entertainment Africa 2012 Conference currently on the go in Cape Town, before being spread on Twitter by the likes of Stuff Magazine editor Toby Shapshak.
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The Apple iTunes Store allows users of Apple products to hire or purchase video and audio content directly online.
Using iCloud the content is quickly distributed across all linked iDevices. In the USA and UK the iTunes store has usurped the position of corner DVD rental stores by making movies and TV series immediately viewable in the comfort of your own home (with an AppleTV providing the link between the internet and your standard TV), often in pure High Definition.
The move may be motivated by the launch of German Spotify clone Simfy in the country.
South Africa has long been waiting and begging for its own dedicated iTunes Store with some people commenting that less developed markets like Kenya have offered better Apple Services than South Africa. This may have more to do with the country’s copyright legislation though — as well as potential royalties that would need to be paid to SAMA for the sale of any music content.
Many South Africans have opted for the “illegal” route of registering a US or UK-based account (using a fictitious address) and then using online “gift vouchers” to buy iTunes store credit.
While the move will be welcomed by many it remains to be seen what quality of content will be available for South African Apple Fans.
