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In December T-Mobile became the first domestic wireless provider to offer ringbacks, which they branded "CallerTunes."  It allows you to "replace the boring ‘ring-ring’ with your choice of the hottest song, celebrity voice, and comedy clips."  It didn’t take long for me to realize CallerTunes will confuse the shit out of anyone calling.  So I bought one just to hear everyone’s reaction. [Read more: stereogum: My Phone Drops It Like It's Hot.]

These ringbacks have been in Korea for awhile, and I remember the first couple of times I heard them.  It was a surprise at first, but wasn’t shocking.  It’s like you’re being put on hold at a doctor’s office.  Then Ras got one for his phone, which was some Outkast song.  Every time I called him, I’d be so startled but then enjoyed listening to the music while waiting for him to pick.  I haven’t heard any celebrity voices here yet.  I would be pretty confused if I called somebody, only to hear Snoop Dogg saying, "Dogg here.  Did you expect a ring?  I’m waiting for them to answer too.  Snoop."