I just don't get ringtones

Via Digital Music News:

Cingular Spins New Ringtone Offering, Focuses on New Singles

Cingular is the latest to make a statement in the ringtone space, focusing on new and breaking singles. As part of the new "Cingular Sounds" service, customers will receive singles right as they are being released to radio. The new offering is being bolstered by relationships with majors EMI, Sony BMG, Universal Music and Warner Music. Customers will be alerted of new singles via text messages, with each tone selling for $1.99-$2.49. The service will cut the ribbon with the latest Coldplay single, "Speed of Sound".

The majors are ready to make a killing by forming relationships with cellular companies - just look at the prices for the ringtones. Whereas Apple has seemingly created a market that's locked in downloads for 99 cents, the majors are not going to let that happen this time by charging higher prices for ringtones. (They're also going to demand that masters are used rather than polyphonic versions, that way they'll be paid for the licensing of the master recordings rather than only letting the publisher receive the cash for a modification of the original song into a tone). It amazes me how ringtones are so huge in Europe and Asia, and have started picking up here in the States. I don't feel that it's necessary for my phone to play a song. I usually just have it on vibrate anyway.

Note that Coldplay's new single "Speed of Sound" will be the first song available for Cingular's service.