T-Mobile launches ringback tone service

If you have too much time on your hands and want to use your cell phone in a new way, check out the new ringback tone service -- CallerTunes -- from T-Mobile.

A ringback tone is something you would never hear unless you call your cell phone from a different phone. The ringback tone is the ringing you hear when you're calling someone and waiting to see if they are going to answer or have you go into their voice mail. Instead of the dull, "ring…..ring…. ring…", T-Mobile has replaced these with customizable songs and audio clips.

Users can select audio clips for specific people or groups based on the caller ID of the person calling -- so when a loved one calls they can hear one song while waiting for you to answer, or a different tune when it's a stranger. Users can assign up to eight different audio clips. Subscribers can manage their CallerTunes through the cell phone or the T-Mobile Web site.

The folks at T-Mobile are very excited about this development: "Ringback tones are the next evolution in personalizing wireless communication through music an audio," said Michael Butler, chief marketing officer at T-Mobile USA.

The company teamed up with Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, in addition to other record labels and content providers, to give subscribers different tunes to choose from. T-Mobile it says it has content from more than 10,000 tracks.

The service costs $1.49 per month, and a one-time charge of $1.99 for each CallerTune selected. T-Mobile is offering a 30-day trial service for free, which also includes a free bonus CallerTune. Head to this T-Mobile Web site for more details.