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You can now buy text message alert tones in iOS 5

As an unexpected treat, iOS 5 users can now purchase text message and alert tones in the iTunes store for $0.99. Find out where to buy these tones and how to add them to specific contacts.

Sharon Profis headshot
Sharon Profis
Screenshot by Sharon Vaknin/CNET.

Although Apple made most of the new features in iOS 5 public, a few unexpected features have cropped up in the new operating system.

As MacRumors discovered, you can now purchase alert tones in iTunes to use as your default text message or alert tone, or as a custom alert for a specific contact who texts you.

To access these new tones, head to iTunes on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch and go to More > Tones > Genres. Scroll down to view the new section for "Alert Tones." Categories include dialogue, music, and sound effects.

iTunes is already stocked with an awesome selection of alert tones, like Al Pacino's famous line, "Say hello to my little friend," and R2-D2's Weeeoowww. Right now, all alert tones are priced at $0.99.

To apply any purchased alert tones to a contact, find the contact, tap Edit and tap the box next to Text Tone.