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Over the weekend the company released an iTunes update that disabled a simple method for converting standard AAC files into iPhone ringtones - the method required nothing more than changing the file extension from m4a to m4r. iTunes 7.4.1 closed this loophole, though strangely it now seems that restoring the original extension restores the ringtones.

Apple clearly intends to do its utmost to ensure that the only custom ringtones on an iPhone are those purchased through the iTunes Store. It must have signed a pretty restrictive deal with record companies that requires Apple to ensure that there is no other way of customising iPhone ringtones. So expect regular updates to iTunes just as long as simple hacks and third-party tools such as Ambrosia's iToner find ways round Apple's defences.