The iTunes Music Store Rumoured to Hit Latin American Market
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The iTunes Music Store might be heading to Brazil. An iTunes spokesperson declined to comment, but many executives from different areas of the music industry say the retailer will definitely open shops in Argentina and Brazil and probably in several other countries in the region. Some sources say the Brazilian store will open as early as mid-December. Brazil has shown its willingness to buy music online, with most of its digital track sales coming from online sources; by some estimates, the Sonora subscription service alone has some 500,000 paying subscribers. However, customers are restricted to using international credit cards and have to pay in US dollars. Veja, a Brazil-based magazine, stated a local currency solution should be available within the next six months. |
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According to Alejandro Duque, director of sales and business development for Universal Music Southern Cone, the music market is a digital market that is growing and has an interesting revenue equation. Apple appears to be taking significant steps to increase its presence in Brazil and the broader Latin American market, working with manufacturing partner Foxconn to launch iPhone and iPad production in Brazil in order to avoid high import taxes that have so far hampered adoption of Apple’s products there.
Japan Launched Latest Train after the Earthquake
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The new luxury Japanese bullet train is called Hayabusa, or Falcon. This cutting-edge green, pink and silver train was launched in March 2011, and it is the fastest train currently operating in Japan, travelling at speeds of 198 mph. Mutsutake Otsuka, chairman of the East Japan Railway Co, said: “To the best of our ability, we will strive to improve Hayabusa’s passenger comfort, safety and environmental friendliness, not just its speed.” Japan said its trains boast a strong safety record, despite running in an earthquake-prone country. No passenger has ever died due to a Shinkansen derailment or collision. |
Falcon passengers can enjoy journeys along straight stretches and tunnels cut through Japan’s mountainous countryside. But those keen on spoiling themselves can pay £200 for a one-way trip in the comfort of a ‘GranClass’ car. They will enjoy deep recliner leather seats and a cabin attendant at their disposal for serving food and drinks.
A network of cutting-edge Shinkansen train lines has been built across Japan since the 1960s. But as the island nation struggles with a shrinking population and falling domestic demand, the government and industry are seeking to promote the train abroad. Japan has sold Shinkansen technology to Taiwan and hopes to capture other overseas markets, including Brazil and Vietnam. The biggest prize is a future high-speed U.S. rail network that President Barack Obama has promoted, set to be backed by $13 billion in public funding.