In what appears to be a first for the mobile music market, U.K. subscribers can choose which part of a new single from hip-hop star Fabolous to use as their ringtones.
The CD single “Baby” from Warner Music’s Atlantic Records includes built-in software that, when played on a computer, provides codes for each 30-second clip of the song. Users can isolate the chosen clip and send a text message that includes the code to have that portion of the song delivered to their phones.
Until the new service, music content companies dictated which parts of songs were available as ringtones.
“The application produces a code which, when texted to our service, delivers that part of the song to your handset as a ringtone,” said Crispin Futrille, director of London-based Bounce Technology, which is powering the service.
The single retails for $7.46, which is comparable to other CD singles.
“It’s definitely the future of the ringtone industry,” Futrille said. “The ringtone industry is about personalization, and this just allows music lovers to have an extra degree of control in how they personalize their phones. It’s a no-brainer, really.”
