Something that we touched on briefly was the apparent lack of custom ringtones on the iPhone. Back in January we were certain that you'd be able to use your own songs to customize your ring, but lately there has been much speculation on whether or not that will happen.
Rumors now indicate that you will be able to use your own tracks purchased from the iTunes music store as ringtones, for a fee of course. Just $.99 will let you convert tracks that you purchased from iTunes into ringtones for the iPhone.
Wait a second. So we've already bought our music, and it will play on the iPhone. But in order for it to play on the iPhone when a call comes in we have to pay Apple to convert the tracks for us? Yes, a buck isn't much to pay, but it's the principal. We already bought the music, why can't we use it?
I hope this rumor comes up false. There is no good reason for doing this, I don't see how Apple could possibly justify the cost. Sadly, I'm sure people would end up paying, and Apple will laugh all the way to the bank.
iTunes 7.3 with Custom Ringtones? [via macrumors]
The problem is not with Apple, it’s with the RIAA. I totally agree .99 is ridiculous to pay when you’ve *already got it on the device*, but it’s a hell of a lot better than $1.99 or $2.99 a ringtone on other carriers. We’ll have to wait and see…
Seems reasonable that AT&T wants to get some money from the deal. Wait six months and the exclusivity contract will be gone and you’ll be able to make all the free ringtones you want. Why on earth would one need so many ringtones? That’s right, I forgot, one ringtone for each friend you have. $5 bucks total.
Forget about the RIAA. What about an MP3 i create, entirely on my own? What about a recording of my niece’s voice that I want to use for her ringtone? I have to pay to convert that? I OWN THAT. Why can’t I just bluetooth it to the phone and use it as a ringtone? No custom ringtones? I thought Apple was about individuality. Sounds cult-like to me. I cannot believe they are not supporting custom ringtones. I love the interface of the phone, but no custom ringtones is an absoilute dealbreaker for me.