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Music industry has another death-spasm, coughs up "ringles"
It seems like very couple months one of the major labels announce yet another harebrained scheme to entice consumers to purchase CDs, regardless of what people actually prefer, and right on schedule, Sony BMG and Universal have announced their latest three-martini-and-a-cocktail-napkin plan: the "ringle," a $6 CD single featuring a remix and ringtone. There's really not much more to say -- trying to revive the CD single by adding in something that consumers are used to getting over-the-air seems like it speaks for itself -- but it's certainly interesting to see the labels desperately try and nab as much of the ringtone market as they can, even as their partners try and move forward. We'll see you at the funeral, boys. [Image courtesy of Boy Genuis Report]
Create your own iTunes-compatible ringtones: Part 2
Last week, I posted about creating your own iPhone ringtones, then iTunes 7.4.1 toddled along, so here are updated instructions. iTunes uses the m4r file extension for ringtones. If you remove an AAC file from your library and rename it from .m4a to .m4r and then add it back to iTunes, the program reads it back in as a ringtone rather than a normal library track. You must then go back and rename that file back to m4a so you sync it to your iPhone. (That's what that unrecognized format error is all about.) The secret lies in making sure the name change happens properly. This isn't a big problem on Windows. On the Mac, though, the Finder tries to keep you from renaming the file extension -- this isn't to keep you from making ringtones, it's to keep you from hurting your files. That file you just named "MyTone.m4r" may actually be named "MyTone.m4r.m4a" (unless you have the Finder advanced preference "Show all file extensions" turned on, usually a good idea if you plan to be tweaking your file types). If you don't have the show all extensions preference on, you can do the rename in Terminal, or select the file you want to rename and Get Info (Cmd-I). Scroll down to the Name & Extension field and change the extension to m4r there. If the Finder is set to show all file extensions, you can pretty much just go ahead and change the extension; you may get a warning dialog but you may plow ahead safely. At this time, the m4r items do not appear in your Library. You can only see them when you select an iPhone in the sources list and then click on the Ringtones tab. Also, there is no way to remove ringtone items from your library yet. Thank you to AlexUpdate: I've only tested this update on the Mac.
iTunes 7.4.1 ringtones re-rename workaround discovered
So last night iTunes 7.4.1 came out which, among other things, blocked off the custom ringtone renaming method, which allowed users to add their own ringtones to their iPhone without buying them on iTunes. Well, as posters in our own comments have already discovered, it's back, and here's how to do it:First, follow the steps of the original method Create your ringtone, save it as an AAC file. Rename the m4a extension to m4r. Double-click to play in iTunes. Now, if you're upgraded to 7.4.1 Go back and re-rename that m4r file back to m4a. That's it. Plug in your iPhone and that ringtone will be added to your syncable ringtones list -- and it won't pop up the error from before. Play your ringtones constantly for the next 10 hours until 7.4.2 comes out. [Thanks, Engadget commenters! More here.]
iRing: Automator application for creating ringtones
We posted yesterday on the MacRumors tutorial on creating ringtones from your own music by changing the file extension. Well the guys over at applegazette have put together iRing a simple Automator application that, well, automates the process. Pretty much all it does is take the AAC file, change the extension, and put it into iTunes. Apparently iTunes has to be closed for it to work properly, but if you don't want to go through the rigamarole by hand, this might be handy.iRing is a free download from applegazette.Update: Alas, events have overtaken this post (which was written the night before). The iTunes 7.4.1 update breaks the very vulnerability this uses. It's against our policy to remove posts, but we should note that this will only work with iTunes 7.4.Update 2: Apparently the guys over at applegazette have updated iRing so that it works again with 7.4.1 (see the comment below)
iToner 1.0.1 restores compatibility with iTunes 7.4.1
As we reported earlier, the iTunes 7.4/7.4.1 update broke a number of officially unsupported third-party extensions. Among these was the recently released iToner ringtone utility from Ambrosia. The new update restores the custom ringtone functionality as well as adding file-dragging from iTunes and improved playlist support. So if you were worried about the long-term prospects of iToner, Ambrosia quick response should ease your mind.iToner is $15 and a demo is available.
iTunes 7.4.1 already released -- free ringtone workaround is NOT ok
Just thought we'd let the droves of paranoid upgraders know in on a small bit of good bad news. Yes, Apple did already release a new version of iTunes tonight, 7.4.1, and we tested to see if said update "fixes" the ringtone-renaming hack (if you really want to call it a hack) that lets users supply their own ringtones sans Apple's $0.99 fee. Breathe not so easy: it may be legal (probably), but the hack did not continue to work just fine for us. More below. Update: So yes, our previous ringtones carried over and we were able to add new renamed ringtones to iTunes -- but our readers are right in that 7.4.1 DOES block the renamed ringtone workaround moving forward. Our initial syncs went unblocked, but only until we tried to add new ringtone files. Once you actually attempt to sync new renamed ringtone files, well, then you're in for a heap o' pain (see above). [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
TUAW Best of the Week
What a week for Apple fans. After a slow Labor Day, we got a huge midweek event, new iPods, and what turned out to be the week's biggest story: the iPhone is now $399.MobileChat iPhone AIM Client DebutsStarted off the week with not one but two IM iPhone betas.MarsEdit 2.0Red Sweater's blogging client gets a new interface and Flickr integrationMass-media messup: NBC doesn't get the iTunes storeNik tells us why the peacock should leave the pricing to Apple.Ask TUAW: External Front Row, iSight mirroring, booting from an external HD, and moreYou ask, we answer, and you don't even have to pay an extra buck just to read it for 30 seconds on your iPhone.The Beatles: whateverScott doesn't care if the Beatles showed up on Wednesday or not.Metaliveblogging "The Beat Goes On" eventWhat's the next best thing to being in Moscone West? Reading our commentary about it.iTunes: Free WednesdayFeaturing Dave Matthews and The Pick Up Artist (not the same person).iPhone ringtones on the cheapGet all of the ringtones, with none of the price.Apple screwed you. So now what?The most useful thing we posted all week.Bye, bye HiFiApple's speakerbox gets an inconspicuous farewell.Found Footage: Quicksilver Google Tech talkSure, Quicksilver's creator isn't the best public speaker, but if you're interested in UI design at all, this is a must-see.Apple giving early iPhone buyers $100 creditSteve gives some back. Thanks early adopter whiners!iTunes 7.4 breaks iPhone hacksA speedbump (albeit a very, very small one) for iPhone hackers.Why did Apple drop the price?We consider the reasons behind this week's biggest surprise.
How not to download iTunes Store tracks or previews for Ringtones
We've just received word via Engadget that you may not use iTMS-purchased music or previews as ringtones. Engadget's awesome Nilay Patel addressed the issue this morning, clarifying that although you can legally install ringtones ripped from your personal CDs, iTMS tracks and previews are off-limits. He writes that the iTMS EULA prohibits the use of downloaded files as ringtones, probably due to its contracts with the music industry. Music ripped from CDs, however, are not derivative works and do not infringe copyrights.
Know Your Rights: Is it illegal to make my own ringtones?
Know Your Rights is Engadget's new technology law series, written by our own totally punk copyright attorney Nilay Patel. In it we'll try to answer some fundamental tech-law questions to help you stay out of trouble in this brave new world. Disclaimer: Although this post was written by an attorney, it is not meant as legal advice or analysis and should not be taken as such.We hate to do another Apple-related KYR so soon, but this week's announcement of Apple's pay-and-pay-again iPhone / iTunes ringtone maker (followed up by statements made by Apple VP Phil Schiller) has had a lot of people asking us the following question:So, is it illegal to make my own ringtones?No!Come on.No, really!What's the catch?Nothing!You wouldn't be doing this if there wasn't a catch.Oh, alright. But you're not going to like it.
Simple hackery enables free iTunes ringtones
Well, this is a handy (and well-timed) find! User Cleverboy over at Macrumors has discovered a simple trick to get your own music onto your iPhone using the just-released iTunes 7.4, and it'll cost you precisely nothing. To get this to work, we hear you only need to rename an AAC track to .M4R, then double click it and iTunes will automagically load it into iTunes for you. Next time you plug in your iPhone to sync up, just check off the song in the Ringtones tab and voila, instant tone gratification. Thanks, Apple -- free ringtones for the songs we already own or ripped from our own CDs, this is how it should have been from the get-go. On a happy note, Macrumor's forum users are reporting the magic works via both Apple and Windows flavors of iTunes, but feel free let us know how you all get on.
Create your own iTunes-compatible ringtones
Update 12am 9/8: It appears that iTunes 7.4.1 blocks the transfer of these homemade ringtones. If you haven't updated yet, you may want to load up on song snippets first... iTunes 7.4 makes it especially easy to add and sync ringtones with your iPhone--without having to pay for a third-party installer. TUAW reader Arnold Kim passed along a link to this fabulous MacRumors post with a method attributed to "Cleverboy" and Nicholas "Drudge" Penree sent me additional instructions. It goes basically like this: iTunes uses the m4r file extension for Ringtones. If you copy an AAC file from your library and rename it from .m4a to .m4r and then add it back to iTunes, the program reads it back in as a ringtone rather than a normal library track. You can then sync it to your iPhone. I've tested this with both an MP3 that I converted to AAC and with a track I purchased from the iTunes store. They both worked. The secret lies in making sure the name change happens properly. This isn't a big problem on Windows. On the Mac though there are protections in place to keep you from renaming the file extension--this isn't to keep you from making ringtones. It's to keep you from hurting your files. So either do the rename in Terminal or select the file you want to rename and open the Info window. Scroll down to the Name & Extension field and change the extension to m4r there. At this time, the m4r items do not appear in your Library. You can only see them when you select an iPhone in the sources list and then click on the Ringtones tab. In other news, the download-free-iTunes-previews trick seems to be dead until further notice. Further notice: Okay, I got the preview trick fixed but it's..trickier. You've got to download the iTunes pages as if they were webpages and then extract the URLs from the page source. I'll write this up if there's any interest. Let me know in the comments Update: Use this technique only for tracks you've copied from your personal CD collection.
iTunes 7.4 is available
After a brief delay, iTunes 7.4 is finally available for download. We knew this version would include ringtones, but here's the official word from Apple:"With iTunes 7.4, sync your favorite music and more with the new iPod nano (third generation), iPod classic, and iPod touch, plus create custom ringtones exclusively for iPhone with many of your favorite songs purchased from the iTunes Store. You can now also play purchased videos with closed captioning (when available), easily rate your favorite albums from one to five stars, and watch videos at a larger size inside the iTunes window."Go and get it, music fans!Update: Several readers are unable to get Apple's ringtone feature working. Also, people have had varying success with their own ringtones. What has your experience been?
Apple's "The Beat Goes On" event news roundup
Apple came out swinging today, with three entirely new iPod models, a color refresh of the shuffle, the launch of the iTunes WiFi Music Store, iPhone ringtones and a price cut, and a partnership with Starbucks -- if you blinked and missed something, here's a brief recap of what went down at Moscone West:Live Coverage / Hands-on Steve Jobs live -- Apple's "The beat goes on" special event iPod touch first hands-on iPod nano 3G first hands-on iPod classic first hands-on iTunes WiFi Music Store first hands-on iPod / iTunes Meet the new iPod family Apple announces (PRODUCT) RED iPod shuffle, new colors Apple announces new 3rd gen iPod nano Apple's new iPod classic Apple's iPod touch gets official Apple announces iTunes WiFi Music Store Apple and Starbucks join up for iTunes WiFi purchase iPhone Apple adds iPhone ringtones to iTunes iPhone to get iTunes WiFi Music Store, too Apple cuts 8GB iPhone price to $399 Apple killing 4GB iPhone, $299 while supplies last Where the hell is the 3G iPhone for Europe? We might know.
Apple intros ringtones for iPhones
We mentioned in our cheap ringtones post that Apple will soon be entering the ringtone business, but I think it deserves a post all by itself. iTunes will shortly be updated, and one of the new features will be the ability to create 30 second ringtones from any of 1 million 'ringtone ready' songs from the iTunes Store (the available ringtone songs are marked with a little bell). Click on a ringtone ready song in iTunes, use the new ringtone editor to create a 30 second clip of the song (including setting the duration of the gap during the loop), and your ringtone is ready. Ready for you to buy it that is. $.99 is what it will cost you to get that ringtone, which is in addition to the cost of the full track (though if you already own the track you can just buy the ringtone).
iPhone Ringtones On The Cheap
The Steve may want you to cough up $2 for an iTunes track + ringtone but TUAW is watching out for your wallet. You already own the song. Use it the way you want. Here's a quick round-up of the ways you can save money on ringtones: SendSong: This utility lets you pick any song from your iTunes library and use it as a ringtone. Do not use iTMS-purchased tracks as ringtones. Free iTunes Previews: See TUAW's guide to downloading iTunes previews and then use one of the following tools to install them. Remember that you may have to rename the extensions from .m4p to .m4a. Windows Ringtones: Use iBrickr (free) or iPhoneRingtoneMaker ($10). You pick the song, they install them. Mac Ringtones: On the Mac, grab a copy of iFuntastic (free, but a wee bit unstable) or iToner ($15). These too turn your audio into free ringtones.
Apple adds iPhone ringtones to iTunes
A new version of iTunes supporting custom ringtones for the iPhone ships this evening. They'll run 99 cents on top of the cost of the song, but in trade, you'll be able to make your own custom ringtone from the song. They can run up to 30 seconds in length, denoted by bells that appear next to "ringtoneable" songs -- which'll be 500,000 of 'em at launch. Apple flips the switch to enable the feature "next week."
iPhone 101: Adding custom ringtones to your contacts
As Mat posted, Michael Simmons of Ambrosia SW dropped us a note yesterday to give a heads up about their new iToner product. $15 gets you a universal binary application that allows you to install new ringtones and easily assign them to your contacts. I thought I'd follow up his post with a quick trick to assign custom ringtones to individual contacts. To do this, choose Phone > Contacts and select any of your contact names. Tap Edit and scroll down the contact information page to tap Assign Ringtone. Select a ringtone and tap Info (top-left) to select that sound or select None to use the default ringtone for this contact.
iToner makes adding iPhone ringtones ridiculously easy
Want to add iPhone ringtones? iToner's your solution, it's the easiest (and most graphically purdy) method we've seen yet, and it works without even jailbreaking your iPhone. The down side (yeah, there's always a downside) is this simple utility could teach a course in Nagware 101, bugging you incessantly and imposing increasingly longer delays before carrying out its function until you buy the thing. Still, it's worth it if you've been waiting for an excuse not to use marimba anymore. We'd just suggest waiting until next Wednesday before making the buy, we hear Apple might just do this thing themselves. More shots after the break.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Apple set to launch ringtone service for iPhone September 5th?
The New York Post is reporting that Apple's September 5th dog and pony show is set to usher in the age of iTunes as ringtone-management software for iPhone. Apparently the rumored service will see iTunes able to convert any song into a ringtone -- for a fee, of course -- and you'll even have the ability to dictate which portion of the song becomes the tone. The offering will also include the ability to use previously purchased tunes as ringtones, and we're hoping your own music in iTunes, too. We're feeling this is long overdue, but can assume that Apple could have been in conversation with the labels to sort out the financials of all this magic. Watch this space next week for more news on pricing and availability -- if indeed, it actually pans out.[Via AppleInsider]
Ambrosia releases iToner: iPhone ringtone manager
Ambrosia today released iToner, a new piece of Mac software to manage custom iPhone ringtones. iToner allows you to create iPhone ringtones just by dropping audio files on the faux iPhone interface and syncing. Best of all it does not require any kind of "modifying, hacking or having to reset your iPhone." Of course there are free ways of doing something similar, though without the nice eye candy. And rumor has it that Apple itself will shortly get into the ringtone business, though personally I'd rather pay once than be nickle-and-dimed for each and every ringtone.In any case, iToner is available now for $15 and a demo is available so you can check it out for yourself.
