The SA version of Apple’s App Store has begun charging customers in rands rather than US dollars. The change, which took effect on Friday, has also brought local-currency versions of the store to India, Indonesia, Israel, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emerates.
The pricing also applies to Newsstand, the iOS app for purchasing magazines and newspapers.
According to a report on US website TechCrunch, Apple users in all eight of these countries previously had to pay for apps in US currency.
At the same time, Apple has increased the base price for applications sold in the euro zone, apparently as a result of recent hikes in value-added tax rates in some European countries.
TechCrunch reports that the move to local currencies should help Apple grow its local use of paid-for apps and spur the creation of localised apps.
SA Apple users will no doubt be hoping the decision to charge in rand signals Apple’s intention to offer the full iTunes Store in SA, offering music, movies and book downloads in addition to apps. — (c) 2012 NewsCentral Media
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