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iTunes Match Released in Australia, However Problems Reported

Posted on Dec 15, 2011

No less than 2 days after Apple have released the iTunes 10.5.2 Update, reports from multiple tech blogs including Gizmodo have reported that Apple has rolled out iTunes Match to Australian users.

The link posted by Gizmodo, takes users to a page allowing them to sign up to the long-awaited iTunes Match within Australia for $34.99 Per Year, providing access to the Millions of Songs via the Apple iCloud service.

Unfortunately, the service may have been launched too early, or in error, as after you subscribe to the service, there are errors within iTunes preventing the service from operating as designed.

Error Reported: When users register within Australia for the iTunes Match services, the following error appears prompting that “iTunes Match has encountered an error. Please choose Sign Out and the Sign In from the iTunes Store menu and try again.

Mac blog site iClarified, have advised that Apple have confirmed via correspondence that “Apple has accidentally launched iTunes Match internationally“, and that “Apple has since begun refunding customers who were billed for service”.

This comes as a blow to Australian users, that are left waiting in the wings of the US and Brazil iTunes Match users that have had access to the service since it’s release in mid November within the US, and more recently in Brazil.

iTunes Australian users have been able to register for iTunes Match, after the link was published via Tech Blog Gizmodo, however it is uncertain how Apple will handle the influx of interest from the UK, European, NZ and Australian markets, and if the issues reported, and related to a technical glitch, or just that ”Apple has accidentally launched iTunes Match internationally“, as reported by iClarified.

[MacRumours via Gizmodo]

Apple updates iTunes version 10.5.2 – No iTunes Match Australia Release Date in Sight

Posted on Dec 13, 2011

Apple have released an update to iTunes 10.5.2, to include several improvements for iTunes Match release last month in the US (only). The update also fixes an audio distortion problem when playing or importing certain CD’s.

iTunes 10.5.2 includes several improvements for iTunes Match and fixes an audio distortion problem when playing or importing certain CDs.

Apple iTunes 10.5.2 can be downloaded directly from Apples iTunes page. Only minor details of the Apple software update have been release on the support page, however this could be due to a pending release that has not been released to date.

Click to Download iTunes 10.5.2 or Run iTunes Software Update

Although iTunes Match has been released in the US, there is still no release date for Australia, Canada, Europe and Asia, however are still hopeful for an announcement by the end of year.

What is iTunes Match?

For US$24.99/Per year, iTunes Match is an iCloud based streaming service, that will analyse your local iTunes library, and provides an exact copy of the track or album in the Cloud via iTunes. If a song is not matched, it is uploaded in its current format, ensuring that your existing music is not compromised in quality. Once your library has been scanned and uploaded you can access this content from any iTunes enabled device (including iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad).

Samsung Australia launch GALAXY Tab 10.1

Posted on Dec 9, 2011

Samsung Galaxy 10.1 Tablet - www.samsung.com

After much anticipation, Samsung Australia today have launched the GALAXY Tab 10.1 to market. The Tablet was launched today after Australian Federal Court lifted the ban of the product, due to claims from Apple that the product had allegedly borrowed many of its features from Apple’s iPad.

For those that are not familiar with the Samsung Tablet, the GALAXY features a 1Ghz Processor, 10.1 Inch Screen, WiFi & 3G capabilities, bluetooth, two on-board cameras, a rear facing 3-Megapixel camera capable of 1080p HD video, a 2-Megapixel front camera,for Skype and Video Chat, USB & Flash Support.

The Samsung Galaxy 10.1 table is available from all good technology retailers, and is priced as follows:

RRP of $579 (16GB WiFi)
RRP of $729 (16GB 3G)

via Macworld or visit: http://www.samsung.com.au/ for more information.

JB Hi-Fi NOW Music Streaming Service Coming Early 2012

Posted on Dec 2, 2011

JB Hi-Fi NOW - http://now.jbhifi.com.au/

JB Hi-Fi have announced that in the second quarter of 2012, they will releasing to the Australian market JB Hi-Fi NOW Music Streaming Service . Published on their website, JB Hi-Fi will allow subscribers to listen to unlimited music from their catalogue of around 6-8 Million songs, from over 100,000 local and international artists, via an internet connection, anywhere in Australia.

The JB Hi-Fi NOW Streaming Service will be initially rolled out across Mac & PC, and later released via a mobile solution shortly thereafter. JB HI-FI Now subscription will hit the market to compete with its major competitor Sony’s Qriocity Service and allows subscribers to listen to unlimited music for as little as $6.67 per month.

JB Hi-Fi’s NOW will join a list of global streaming / cloud based subscription services that are on offer, including Apple iTunes Match and AMAZON is one of many new alternatives

To register for further updates, go to http://now.jbhifi.com.au/

via (ZDNet)

Would You Use Australia Post As Your Telco? (via @giz_au)

Posted on Nov 25, 2011

What will we hear next? @Daryl – Maybe Telstra can deliver the mail? Love It!

How great would it be if you could get WiFi Access from any Australia Post mailbox. A great use of existing property, and excellent for the city. Reminds me of a concept Telstra put forward some years back, about offering WiFi via their phone boxes.

As with all great ideas, will they never happen. Would you use Australia Post as a Telco service provider?

Check out: GizmodoAU

Australia Post is hoping that you would; it’s all primed for a major push into the telecommunications market as part of a shift away from those old-fashioned paper things that people used to send each other. I think I remember those… via [GizModo]

Apple Black Friday Sale – Today Only

Posted on Nov 24, 2011

Well the Apple Black Friday Sale is Here.. One Day Only Sale from Apple. What specials will you be purchasing today, and putting away till Christmas?

Apple has not only punched out some great savings on their main stock lines (iPad, iPod, iMac and Macbook range), but have also released some great specials on other products including GiftCards, iPad Accessories, Headphones, Software, Cases and More: