Canadians to pay more for Apple apps thanks to falling loonie
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Sure, gas prices may be lower; but you can now thank the falling loonie for an increase in your iTunes bill. For the second year in a row, Apple is hiking prices in the Canadian App Store to account for foreign exchange rates.
According to an email sent to software developers Monday, prices for apps, games and in-app purchases will increase in Canada, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore and South Africa.
The change will take affect within the next 72 hours.
According to the document, two new low-price tiers will be available to developers for the Canadian App Store; however, Apple has not confirmed what those price tiers will be.
However, according to a report from The Next Web, apps will now start at $1.39 for Canadian users, up from $1.19. The report claims higher-priced apps will see the most impact – apps formerly priced at $50.00 will go up to $69.99.
An Apple spokesperson declined to comment.
This isn’t the first time Apple has raised prices due to the falling loonie. In Jan. 2015Canadian’s said goodbye to $0.99 apps after the tech giant was forced to increase app prices to account for adjustments in value-added tax (VAT) and foreign exchange rates.
Developers set the price of their own apps by choosing a price tier – CAD$1.39 being the lowest, CAD$999.99 being the highest. The developer can change that price tier at any time.
A word to the wise – if you have your eye on a few paid apps, you might want to buy them now before the price goes up.
