GPhone envy may be about to replace iPhone envy.
Today is the day that T-Mobile will officially announce the October availability of the first mobile phone powered by Google’s open source Android application. According 
to Venture Beat, the new phone will carry an Amazon created app that powers over the air downloads from the Amazon MP3 store as well as perhaps video rentals.
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RealNetworks‘ new Cutting Tune enables mobile subscribers to select any portion of purchased songs as ringtone or ringback tones. “Our partners continue to see strong demand for mobile services that allow subscribers to express their individuality,” said Vern Poyner, and SVP at Real. Subscribers can also “gift” their newly created RTs and RBTs to friends for a fee.
The service will be available next year via wireless operators using RealNetowrks ringtone delivery system which include SK Telecomm, and Verizon Wireless. Several bootleg ringtone creation applications have existed for years. But since carriers control ringbacks internally; they have been able to corner that portion of the market.
In a presumptive strike against pending announcements by Apple, Microsoft will upgrade its Zune portable media player to enable wireless downloads and streaming. Free software and firmware updates will also provide the ability to tag and purchase songs directly from the built-in FM radio, wirelessly access the Zune Marketplace and tap into interactive, personalized music recommendations as part of the Zune Pass subscription program.
Zune is also expanding its lineup with 16GB and 120GB capacities as well as blue-on-silver and all-black color schemes. The new features will begin rolling out on Sept. 16th.
