Create free iPhone ringtones using iTunes 8

Two months ago, I posted a tutorial entitled Free Custom Ringtones for iPhone 3G using only iTunes. Since then, this tutorial has gained great popularity. However, I’ve noticed that there are some differences between the newest version of iTunes – iTunes 8 and its previous versions (get the detailed info from http://www.apple.com). Therefore, it is very necessary to update that tutorial below:

Note: If you are using the purchased iTunes music to create ringtones for your iPhone, you need to get M4P to MP3 converter to help you convert the iTunes protected music to DRM free mp3 first. Or you can just get an iPhone Ringtone Maker, which can turn virtually any music or audio track into iPhone ringtones.

To create free iPhone ringtones using iTunes 8:

1. Right click on the song you are going to make into a ringtone and select “Get Info.”

2. Go to the “Options” tab and go down to the “Start Time” and “Stop Time” check boxes. Check both boxes and input the time you want your ringtone to start/stop. The ringtone has to be 30 seconds or less. Click “OK” when you’re done.

3. Right click on your newly “clipped” song and select “Create AAC Version”. Or directly click the “Advanced” tab on the main menu of iTunes 8 and select “Create AAC Version” from the drop-down list. The song will be re-encoded using the start and stop times specified.
Note: If your menu item does not read “Create AAC Version” and reads “Create MP3 Version” or some other format, please go to ”iTunes -> Edit -> Preferences -> General”  and refer to the graphs below:

4. After the song is done encoding, navigate to your iTunes Music folder, locate your song, and drag it to your desktop. After the song is on your desktop go back to iTunes and delete the clipped version from you iTunes library (It won’t delete it from your desktop, it will only remove it from iTunes).

5. Go back the song on your desktop and right click on your song and choose “Properties”. Go to the name and extension section and change the extension from .m4a to .m4r (or you can just change the extension right from your desktop).

6. After the extension is changed simply double click on the file to add it to your iTunes library under the ringtones section. Sync your phone with iTunes and you’re done!

If the ringtone section isn’t available, please click “Edit -> Preferences” and refer to the graph below:

Note: Remember to go back into iTunes and uncheck your custom start and stop times for the original version of your song.

Stream Your Entire iTunes Library From Anywhere?

iPhone and iPod owners – especially if you’re audiophilic – would know how much of a pain it is to run out of space on your unit when you still have lots of music to transfer from your iTunes.

A future software update from Apple may solve this little problem of storage. Future iTunes and iPhone software could eliminate the need to sync your unit with your console. Instead, your player will access your entire iTunes media library on the go.

This strikes me a little bit like how online media services operate – like YouTube and imeem for example. Makes me wonder why it wasn’t done before.

Instead of downloading music from your iTunes to your player, the device would use metadata files, which typically uses less than 1% of the space the original file uses. The device would need a wired or cellular connection to access the media files from the Mac or PC though. Which brings us to the downside – what if you can’t connect to the Net?

At any rate, this is a remarkable idea that I want to see happen. The tech would also mean that you can organize your iTunes library from your iPhone or iPod Touch. It could also mean iPods and iPhones could communicate with each other like the Zune (finally).

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Free Custom Ringtones for iPhone 3G using only iTunes
iPhone 3G Reviews

Free Custom Ringtones for iPhone 3G using only iTunes

Create free ringtones for your iPhone using only iTunes and songs you already have on your computer (This method only works with songs that are DRM free. To create ringtones using DRM protected songs please follow this guide to strip the DRM off first). This method has been tested and works with iTunes 7.7.1 and iPhone 2.0.1 firmware.

Note: If you want to avoid the trouble of making custom iPhone ringtones following the steps below, you can get the iPhone Ringtone Maker to help you create ringtones for iPhone (fully compatible with iPhone OS 3.0).

To create custom ringtones using only iTunes:

1. Right click on the song you are going to make into a ringer and select “Get Info.”

2. Go to the options tab and go down to the “Start Time” and “Stop Time” check boxes. Check both boxes and input the time you want your ringer to start/stop. The ringer has to be 30 seconds or less. Click OK when you’re done.

3. Right click on your newly “clipped” song and select “Convert Selection to AAC.” The song will be re-encoded using the start and stop times determined (If your menu item does not read “Convert Selection to AAC” and reads “Convert Slection to MP3″ (or some other format) please go to iTunes -> Preferences -> Advanced -> Importing and change the “Import Using” drop down menu to “AAC Encoder”).

4. After the song is done encoding navigate to your iTunes Music folder, locate your song, and drag it to your desktop. After the song is on your desktop go back to iTunes and delete the clipped version from you iTunes library (It won’t delete it from your desktop, it will only remove it from iTunes).

5. Go back the song on your desktop and right click on your song and chose “Properties”. Go to the name and extension section and change the extension from .m4a to .m4r (or you can just change the extension right from your desktop).

6. After the extension is changed simply double click on the file to add it to your iTunes library under the ringtones section. Sync your phone with iTunes and you’re done!

Note: Remember to go back into iTunes and uncheck your custom start and stop times for the original version of your song.

Reference: http://theappleblog.com/2008/08/07/free-custom-iphone-ringtones-using-only-itunes/

Updated: If you are using iTunes 8, please head to Create free iPhone ringtones using iTunes 8.

iPhone 3G Reviews

Source from: http://www.iphoneatlas.com/2008/07/09/iphone-3g-reviews-reviewed/

Three journalists have reviewed the iPhone 3G prior to its release on Friday. Rather than postulate a general consensus, we’ll present a series of salient data and points of insight gleaned from the newly published reviews.

David Pogue | The New York Times

• The new iPhone feels better in your hand due to the “gracefully curved” back.
• The 3G network “brings you Web pages in less than half the time.“
• Audio quality for calls takes a “gigantic leap forward” and is “crystal clear” on either end of the call — something that only a few other phones can claim.
• Apple claims that the GPS receiver’s antenna is too small to replicate turn-by-turn navigation of a standalone GPS unit.
• As with most GPS devices, downtown buildings can block reception.
• Battery replacement will still cost $86.
• The AppStore is “drop-dead simple,” “hundreds (of apps)” available at launch with “thousands” in the wings
• Gaming on the iPhone is “dazzling”

Walt Mossberg | The Wall Street Journal

• The new phone “mostly keeps its promises.”
• The iPhone 3G “is much, much faster at fetching data over cellphone networks” than the original iPhone.
• Email and Web access were typically “between three and five times as fast on AT&T’s 3G network.” “In Washington and New York [...] 3G speeds ranged between 200 and 500 kilobits per second compared to 70 and 150 kbps on EDGE.”
• The iPhone 3G frequently dropped calls in New York City while a “cheap Verizon phone” had “perfect reception.”
• While 3G was enabled, the iPhone 3G’s battery drained much more quickly than the original iPhone during a typical day of use.
• Audio is greatly improved for the iPhone 3G — the built-in speaker was louder for music and speakerphone conversations were better. There were some echoing issues while using the built-in Bluetooth system in a car.
• Setting up Exchange ActiveSync was quick and easy. Changes on the iPhone were instantly reflected in Microsoft Outlook. Push email was fast and instant.
• Exchange calendar sync will erase personal calendars and contacts in iPhone OS 2 software.
• Tested Apps: AOL Instant Messenger, AOL Radio, etc. on an original iPhone with OS 2.0 installed.

Edward Baig | USA Today

• “No equal among consumer-oriented smartphones.”
• Claims that it was a “relative cinch” to setup access to Exchange and works well.
• Mentions issues where even in New Jersey 3G coverage is not available or spotty.
• Popular Web sites take 10 to 30 seconds to load through 3G, which is a lot faster than on EDGE
• The iPhone 3G feels “perfectly comfortable” in the hand because of the plastic back.
• The plastic backing should improve reception versus the original’s aluminum backing.
• “Pretty impressed” by the GPS accuracy, but wants the phone to have voice turn-by-turn directions.
• Audio quality is better overall, particularly the speakerphone.
• Parental controls not only block access but remove icons from the home screen.
• Daily charging of the phone will be required if used regularly.
• Conclusion: an “enthusiastic thumbs up.”