During the new year in Japan, Apple will join the Fukubukuro, or “mystery bag” event on January 2th, when retailers will sell a grab bag that is filled with a random assortment of products sold at a steep discount. Apple has participated in this tradition for several years and sells their “Lucky Bags” for 33,000 yen or $390. Most of the times the bags include items like iPods, headphones, and t-shirts, however in previous years some lucky buyers received items like MacBook Airs or iPads, which have made Lucky Bags ultra popular in Japan. » Annual “Lucky Bags” Coming To Japanese Apple Stores On January 2

Research firm Kantar Worldpanel has released data about the Smartphone market share for the September-November period in 2011 and 2012. It shows that Apple has set a record high with 53.3% of the market, compare to 35.8% one year ago. However, Apple is doing less in Europe, where it grow 2.5% compared to last year. In Europe Apple has 25.3% of the market, Android has surged farther ahead with a 9.2 percentage point gain and now holds 61% of the market. » Apple Smartphone Market Share Grown To 53.3% In U.S. However, Android Holds Strong in Europe

Apple will open the Causeway Bay flagship retail store in Hong Kong later today and features three levels, with a 30-foot tall glass curtain wall making a significant impact on the shopping center. Apple has been putting the finishing touches on it and has unveiled the store for passersby to see. A photo posted to Flickr gives a good impression of Apple’s new store. M.I.C. gadget posted a short video giving a glimpse of the store from the outside and can be seen after the break. » New Apple Retail Store In Hong Kong Unveiled

Earlier we already wrote that Apple had Launched the iTunes store in 56 new countries including Russia, Turkey and India. Now Appleinsider reported that Apple on Wednesday activated iTunes movie sales in 42 new countries. “AppleInsider readers have reported that movies are now available through iTunes in various countries, such as South Africa, but many stores are only showing films from Disney, Sony and their subsidiaries.” iTunes Store users now have access to movies in the following newly-added countries: » iTunes Movies Now Available In 42 Newly-Opened Stores

Yesterday we wrote that the police in Victoria, Australia issued a warning about Apple Maps to travelers, after several travelers became stranded in the Murray-Sunset National Park trying to reach the city of Mildura using Apple’s directions. Today, the Guardian reports that Apple has fixed the error. The error placed the town of Mildura some 45 miles away from its actual location and resulted into several travelers becoming stranded in the Murray-Sunset National Park. » Apple Fixes Australian Map Error That Caused Police Warning

Apple officially revealed that its new Causeway Bay retail store at Hysan Place will open this Saturday, becoming Apple’s third store in Hong Kong. The three levels high, 20,000 square feet shop with the facade including 30-foot tall glass windows is currently covered by curtain graphics, as shown above. Apple’s tagline for the premiere is “An opening you simply can’t miss.” » Apple’s Hong Kong Store With 30-Foot Tall Glass Windows & Three Other Stores To Open This Saturday

According to the latest news Apple has launched the iTunes Music Store in 56 new countries including Russia, Turkey, India, South Africa and 52 additional countries. All these countries now have access to an incredible selection of local and international music from all the major labels and thousands of independent labels. » Apple Launches iTunes Store In 56 New Countries Including Russia, Turkey and India