Possible iTunes Music Store launching in China?

For being Apple's second largest market, China's iTunes store only sells apps. Compared to India, where sales of the iPhone are not as immense, it's iTunes store offers music and movies for sale.

In the past two years we have seen Apple pushing and launching its music service to parts of Africa, Middle East, India, Eastern Europe, South East Asia, and Latin America.


Will China be the next market iTunes music will launch next? The rumors started last February of this year in Chinese websites due to image (displayed above) offering the iTunes cards. The image mentions of the ability of purchasing apps, music and other items on the iTunes store. This image caused some people to speculate of the possibility of a Chinese iTunes music store.

As Apple is preparing to debut its new products and services this coming fall, will the iTunes music store in China be introduced in the same time? As more rumors and components leaks to the new budget iPhone come out it seems probable that Apple is trying to link the music store to the new budget product to have a far more reaching client base.

Yet there is a chance iTunes Music Store China may not become a reality. One of of the reasons why is due to the Chinese government's role in media and trying to filter some products, especially foreign content reaching the Chinese masses.


Whatever Apple may bring this fall, be it a Chinese iTunes store, I will be waiting excitedly for the new products, services and iOS coming from them this fall.

Underrated Turkish Pop Music

As everybody is jumping the K-pop wagon I decided to board on to Turkish pop music's. I really believe that Turkish music is totally underrated. It may be heard in the Middle East and some parts of Europe but it has not had greater outreach in the world since Tarkan's Samarik. 

The beauty of Turkish pop music is that it is heavy in pop and techno elements. There are times that the music does not feel Middle Eastern at all.  Yet there are other times when the music still has a feeling of being Middle Eastern by adding instruments that are found in Middle Eastern music. Another thing that gives Turkish pop an edge is the Turkish language. The Turkish language has a sort of boldness that makes the music unique. Yet the language can be bold yet soft if need be like SezenAksu's Geri Dön and Emre Aydin's Soğuk Odalar.

Here is  a little guide in what is hitting the radio stations in Turkey. Yatcaz Kalcaz by Gülsen is the top hit currently in the airwaves. Demet Akalın is another artist that is popular with songs such as Türkan and Giderli Şarkılar. If you are more into a mellower groove I recommend Sıla’s Yoruldum. If you want more Turkish flair there is Seninle Bozdum by Gökhan Keser.

To further delve into Turkish pop I recommend listening to Power Turk. It is a radio station that plays Turkey's current hits. You can obtain Power Turk's app at the App store. The radio station is also available on TuneIn radio.

P.S. All of these tracks, except for Seninle Buzdum are available in the US iTunes store.

iTunes Gift Cards from Russia!

Apple opened an iTunes music store in Russia few months ago. The store's currency is in Russian rubles. Apple tends to sell iTunes cards in countries where the store is in the local currency, and in this case Russia.

I have found a vendor online that sells iTunes cards from Russia. The website is igroshop.com and they sell cards worth 500 rubles (priced at 19.20 US dollars) and 1000 rubles (priced at 38.79). The only issue is if you are buying from outside Russia you need to send the money via money transfer such as MoneyGram or Western Union. Once the vendor is paid he will send you the code via email. The customer service is great. If you don't mind going through the hurdles of sending it via money transfer than I really recommend IgroShop.