Apple alters pricing of software applications to mirror currency fluctuation

Apple Inc changed the prices of software applications from Canada to Europe last week, in one of the company's broadest global responses to currency fluctuations in recent years.

With the US dollar rising, Apple earlier last week told software makers selling programs through its online App Store that it is increasing application prices in the European Union, Norway, Canada and Russia because of foreign exchange rates and taxes. The changes took effect last week, with the entry-level price for apps in Canada rising to $1.19 from 99 cents. In Europe, the basic app price jumped to 0.99 euro from 0.89 euro.

The moves across two continents - coupled with Apple boosting iPhone prices in Russia last month after briefly halting online sales there when the rouble plunged - amount to one of the more concentrated worldwide actions by the California-based company to currency movements. While Apple has previously raised the prices of programs in its international app stores, the company is typically reluctant to make such changes, said Slaven Radic, chief executive officer of app-developer consultancy Tapstream Network Inc.