KEY POINTS:
Music stores face greater competition since the New Zealand iTunes store went online yesterday with a huge catalogue of songs to download.
Already available in 21 countries, the iTunes store joined other New Zealand online music retailers, including Amplifier.co.nz, Digirama.co.nz and Jiggy.co.nz., to provide a catalogue of about 2 million songs - making it the largest cyberspace music provider.
Songs can be downloaded for $1.79 each, with music videos, albums, audio books and iPod games also available.
New Zealand artists Fat Freddy's Drop, Bic Runga, the Datsuns and more have signed on to have their music distributed.
Apple's vice-president of iTunes, Eddy Cue, said he was thrilled to bring the iTunes store and the online Apple store to New Zealand customers in time for the holidays.
Recording Industry Association of New Zealand chief executive Campbell Smith told the Herald last month the advent of iTunes would refresh people's appetite for music.
"It's wrong for people to steal music. We don't need to say much more than that. But it makes it easier for [the record industry] when we can say, 'Please don't do that, here's a viable, legal, and safe alternative to stealing.' Until recently, it's been hard for us to do that."
iTunes accounts for more than 80 per cent of global online digital music sales.
POP ON THE INTERNET
iTunes
Cost: $1.79 per song, $3.59 per music video
Catalogue: More than two million songs and 65,000 podcasts. Plus albums, music videos, audio books, iPod games
Other benefits: Exclusive tracks from NZ artists, including Fat Freddy's Drop, Brooke Fraser, Tim Finn, The Datsuns and Bic Runga. Plus "single of the week" free downloads
Disadvantages: iTunes music files are not compatible with standard MP3 players and require specific iTunes software
Rip it digital music store
Cost: $1.89 per song, $3.99 per music video
Catalogue: More than 500,000 tracks, with more added every day. Plus music videos and albums
Other benefits: Special offers, including 99c tracks
Disadvantages: Windows Media Audio files are not compatible with iPods
Digirama
Cost: $1.75 per song, $3.50 per music video
Catalogue: 450,000. Plus music videos, albums, radio and ringtones
Other benefits: Variable pricing, including $12 album specials. Offers high quality "lossless" audio downloads, which give CD-quality audio
Disadvantages: WMA files are not compatible with iPods
Coke Tunes
Cost: $1.75 per song
Catalogue: More than one million tracks. Plus albums
Other benefits: Offers bonus vouchers. If you purchase a $119.99 voucher, you receive $150 worth of credit
Disadvantages: WMA files are not compatible with iPods
Amplifier
Cost: $1.99 per song
Catalogue: More than 10,000 tracks by New Zealand artists. Plus albums
Other benefits: Free streaming of Amplifier radio, television and music videos. Uses MP3 format, compatible with all MP3 players, including iPods. Available internationally
Vodafone
Cost: $1.99
Catalogue: More than 600,000 songs
Other benefits: Songs are available as both full tracks and mobile ringtones
Disadvantages: Doesn't offer complete albums. WMA files are not compatible with iPods
- Additional reporting NZPA
