The “alert” industry is in high gear these days and most of us are getting them pretty much 24/7 via our cell phones, laptops, netbooks or other electronics.It’s enough to make you want to shut off all forms of communication at least briefly — if you can get away with it.

The idea of getting a customized alert to mobile calls from special contacts isn’t new. In fact, a distinctive ringtone for calls from your boss, your spouse or even your firm’s biggest client can be pretty useful — whether you’re anxiously anticipating the call or hoping to avoid it.

And now that many of us are using our smartphones to read e-mail on the go, it was inevitable that somebody would come up with custom e-mail alerts that serve the same purpose.

It was also inevitable that the iPhone would be the unit to get an app that performs this trick. For $2.99, you can equip your iPhone with Mailtones,  software that lets your mobile play custom sounds when you receive messages from your select, “special” senders.

You’ll need three things to use the app: First, of course, is an iPhone. Next, you need to make sure that the unit is configured for push e-mail (this means it gets sent to your unit automatically as it comes in, not just when you ask for it to be downloaded). And finally, your e-mail server must have the option of forwarding copies of new messages to another address.

Gmail and MobileMe both have the option. Some corporate servers, however, don’t allow it because their IT managers want greater control of e-mail for security or archiving purposes, or there are industry regulations that don’t allow forwarding of e-mail.

Other folks who may want to avoid Mailtones: anyone whose life is too full of bells, whistles, musical tunes and beeps that remind them there’s important work waiting to be done.

To find out more about Mailtones, visit their Web site.

Tags: alert, customized, e-mail, Mailtones