Warner Music, Virgin sound 'alert tones'

Ringtones apparently aren't annoying enough. Warner Music Group has now begun selling alert tones through Virgin Mobile's new Cyclops handset. Alert tones are even shorter snippets of songs clipped to play as users' text message or voicemail alert. The new tones cost $1.50 each, which are about 5-10 seconds long. WMG has made "hundreds" of titles available to the service.

Expect a lot more of these types of deals soon. Sony Music already sells voice-based alert tones through T-Mobile, and Universal Music Group this summer said it is in the process of converting hundreds of songs in its catalog for the same purpose.

Get the full scoop:
- in the company release