Apple cancels iRingTones project

The Register reports Apple has axed its "iRingTones" project, which would have moved Apple into the ringtone retail business in direct confrontation with cellular carriers.

"iRingTones", as we'll call it, integrated ringtone downloads into the iTunes Music Store, and would have allowed users to remix ringtones before beaming them to the phone via Bluetooth. It was to be a headline feature of iLife '06, the annual upgrade to Apple's digital media consumer suite that receives its annual refresh at the San Francisco show.

Apple has added audio books, podcasts and videos to the iTunes Music Store since it launched in 2003, and is expected to unveil satellite radio integration in the future.

You can read more about this project over here.