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iOS 5 iPhones can now shop for alert/text tones

by Michael Rose Oct 13th 2011 at 2:00PM

For some of us, the addition of fully customizable SMS/alert tones in iOS 5 is the biggest improvement in the feature list. (Well, maybe not the biggest, but certainly one of the biggest.) Since alerts can be linked directly to contacts for incoming iMessages or SMS receipts, having a larger library of custom sounds means you can personalize your iPhone to deliver more context in less time -- and without having to look at it to know if that text message is from the spouse or the boss.

As iOS 5 has rolled out, the iTunes store (the iPhone version) has added a new section for Alert Tones -- you can find it by scrolling down in the Tones section, or from Settings --> Sounds by tapping the 'Buy More Tones' button. Once you get over the idea of paying US$0.99 for a tiny snippet of audio, you can shop to your heart's content among the sound effects; the Star Wars lineup is particularly popular at launch.

Of course, it's easy enough to use your own sound library or recorded audio to create your own custom ringtones and alerts with iTunes.

Thanks Chuck.



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For some of us, the addition of fully customizable SMS/alert tones in iOS 5 is the biggest improvement in the feature list. (Well, maybe...
 

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Br.Bill

I would have ponied up $0.99 for exactly one alert sound: The Star Trek original communicator chirp. It ain't there, so I'll make my own.

October 14 2011 at 2:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kelmon

It's time to try and produce the tone I've wanted for a while - the sound of a kitten being stamped on. Now, this isn't an endorsement of animal cruelty (we have a cat and I wouldn't be without our furry little zeppelin) but the audio comes from a Radio 4 comedy show and it drive my wife nuts. It's short and punchy (or, rather, stampy) and therefore perfect for an alert tone.

The above said, I'm sure you can take customisation too far. I remember changing my old Windows 95 PC to play various Loony Tunes sound effects when things happened, including doing the Road Runner's "BEEP, BEEP" whenever the Start Menu or sub-menus were opened. That didn't last very long...

October 14 2011 at 8:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Elias Jackson

YOU CAN CREATE FREE RINGTONES USING ITUNES http://www.ehow.com/how_5352779_make-ringtone-using-itunes.html you can make them from any song or mp3 file or wave file. don't get ripped off!

October 13 2011 at 7:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ep2002

I read that you can do it in GarageBand. The limit is 15 seconds. I haven't tried it yet myself, but hopefully that helps.

October 13 2011 at 5:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marshall Alden

This is available on iPad as well.

October 13 2011 at 4:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Croq

Yeah, other than laziness, I can't see any reason to pay 99 cents for these...

October 13 2011 at 3:18 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
SebS

I want to be able to change The voice of Siri. Maybe have Hal, C3PO or some other robot voice.

October 13 2011 at 2:29 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Chad Bailey

l2jailbreak. been doing this for two years now on my iphone. Dont delete my comment. kthxbai

October 13 2011 at 2:27 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Chad Bailey's comment
Michael

Chad, you get one of these and that's it. Please stop spamming the comments with this -- otherwise you'll be banned.

October 13 2011 at 3:28 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
OakParkBoy

you've been doing what? Paying for ringtones? I don't follow you, you don't have to jailbreak your phone to use your own ringtones; I've also been doing this for two years on my NON-jailbroken iPhone.

October 13 2011 at 3:55 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to OakParkBoy's comment
Chad Bailey

@OakParkBoy
No usisng song/sound specific tones for text alerts and pretty much everything else you can think of. and no havent paid for anything.

@Michael
I wasnt aware comments had to be approved prior to showing up. 2 isnt exactly spamming. I doubt theres that many people that even comment on tuaw posts let alone post stuff that obscene that all comments need to be approved before posted. Nice egos guys

October 14 2011 at 11:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down
John Jones

I still wish I could make my on tones. Ringtones are easy in GarageBand and its a shame that can't be the same for tones.

October 13 2011 at 2:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to John Jones's comment
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