Why are some apps only available in foreign iTunes stores?

[Scott Murrell]

---I'd like the new Yamaha Synth and Arp app but the one I want isn't available to us here in the United States. Why is this?
I remember having to special order some really cool video games that were only available in Japan I guess because we weren't sophisticated enough to appreciate them? There are other apps I've tried to buy that weren't available here, that seems unfair and pretty stupid to me...

[BertKoor]

Try this link:
http://itunes.com/app/syntharpanddrumpad

[Scott Murrell]

---Thanks for the link but i still get the same message:

Your request could not be completed etc...it's not available in the U.S. store.

I would really like to know why that Apple doesn't allow us to have some apps that others get to have...

[Aural Chaos]

Try this link:
http://itunes.com/app/syntharpanddrumpad

Doesn't work if you are in the US

[Scott Murrell]

---I'm on hold with their "advisors", I want someone to explain why U.S. customers can't buy what others can....

[J.C]

It's not a conspiracy against US citizens.
each dev can choose in which country he'll put his app on sale... That's all.

So you'll have to ask the dev.

[audiob0t]

While you're at it, you might also ask them why TNR-i is on sale in the US but not in Canada

[Scott Murrell]

---I don't think anyone even remotely implied that there's a conspiracy but from a financial standpoint what would a developer gain from not access this huge market? It doesn't make sense to me...

[ghettosynth]

---I don't think anyone even remotely implied that there's a conspiracy but from a financial standpoint what would a developer gain from not access this huge market? It doesn't make sense to me...

Well, for one, it's a great way of doing price discrimination. I can certainly see that you might want to release, as an example, a chinese version that is priced lower than the english version. Release each only to the countries that they are targeting and charge different prices. Language provides a great barrier that will prevent any significant cross market sabotage.

Of course, that's not happening here, yet. But, if you're a large company, timing your product releases might be important; maybe you want to time the release of a product in a market when other factors, such as an announcement at a major consumer show, might enhance the initial sales.

Maybe it's just coordination with other business units. Maybe products can't be released in the U.S. until Yamaha U.S. approves the release because they have support or fulfillment issues. I'm just guessing here, but with large companies, these kinds of things might be important.

[J.C]

@Scott:

Don't take it this seriously (see the smiley?)

------

It may be a mistake from the guy who submitted the app too.

That simple...

[aMUSEd]

It works both ways - eg the Yamaha TNR 1 is currently half price, but only in the US. That really sucks.

[Cheeso]

It works both ways - eg the Yamaha TNR 1 is currently half price, but only in the US. That really sucks.

What is you switch your country in iTunes? Does that work?

[J.C]

Of course not.

[Scott Murrell]

---I saw the smily and meant to include one in my reply, it was funny and taken as such. I don't know why we couldn't just buy from the Japanese iTune store but there must be a reason. I blame the president and allowing gays in the military! LOL

[Scott Murrell]

---I saw on another site where Yamaha is lowering their prices in anticipation of the release of this app.....Maybe it won't be too long..