Apple wants more ringtones for iPhone users

20th May 2008

Apple is in talks with record companies about expanding its ringtone catalogue, a new report suggests.

The company currently offers iPhone users the chance to upgrade specific iTunes tracks into ringtones, but this service is not currently available for all tracks.

Now, Apple is discussing the possibility of extending these and other musical feature options with label chiefs, reports the New York Times.

According to one label representative familiar with the discussions, the negotiations could be an opportunity for record companies to persuade Apple to allow them to vary prices for individual iTunes tracks.

Steve Jobs is set to speak at Apple's developers' conference on June 9th, by which a deal on musical features may have been reached to coincide with the potential launch of the next generation iPhone.

Meanwhile, news editor at Web-User Ben Camm-Jones this week said that the legal status free music download services is difficult to assess.