Apple has launched its iTunes Store in 12 Asian markets, providing access to millions of songs and movies including local favorites.

The move by Apple provides greater access to the growing economies where its iPhone and iPad have proved massively popular.

Customers will now be able to choose from more than 28 million songs, including those from Asian stars, as well as a huge collection of movies from studios such as 20th Century Fox, Paramount, Universal, Disney and Warner Brothers.

Previously customers could only download applications via the company’s App Store.

The iTunes Store is now open to consumers with credit cards issued in Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

It was already available in Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

However, the expansion did not include China and India, which have a combined population of 2.5 billion and a growing middle class eager to spend their new-found wealth.

 

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