Jobs' Mob has been worried for a while now that it will lose ground in the US against Android if it gets too expensive, but at the same time has to continue its policy of charging more for less. The answer is to increase prices all over the world other than the US.

In a memo to software developers on Thursday morning, informing them that the firm will be jacking up App Store prices outside the US (with a few exceptions) by the end of the week.

"Within the next 36 hours, prices on the App Store will increase for all territories in the European Union as well as in Canada and Norway, decrease in Iceland, and change in Russia," the memo said.

Apple claims that the changes are being made to take into account adjustments in VAT and foreign exchange rates, but since Apple did not reduce its prices when the currency rates were favourable and there has been no change to VAT since 4 January 2011, it should be seen for what it really is.

Apple claims this is down to the higher cost of doing business overseas but given that it does not pay much tax on its foreign business that also should be seen for what it is.
What it means is that Apple fanboys in the US will get what they pay for, while the rest of the world has the honour of helping them.