Cellular Ring Tones: The Latest Way To Say This is Me!

Ringtones, those digital sound bites that 'ring' through cell phones especially during critical moments in darkened movie theaters, presentations, and anywhere there are signs posted to turn your cell phone off, have become a flaming financial success for the record and movie industry beyond all imagination. After the record industry lost billions to illegal downloads and digital music consumers and providers lost every court battle since, the market place going rate for an MP3 download has settled down to 99 cents per song. But then came ringtones! They can cost from $2.00 to $3.00 each and that's only for a 15 second sound clip of the same music! And the kids are willing to pay! Who knew?

My daughter introduced me to ringtones a few years ago with her cell in her hand coming down the stairs. "OK, call me." she said.

"When her cell phone rang, "Wow, it's the theme to Friends. Oh how cute!" I affirmed.

Then came the $300.00 cell bill. Then came the discussion. Then the youthful offense...the discussion about the offense...the offense about the discussion about the offense.. the new family rule and finally (drum roll please)... listening to more ringtones!

Today's ringtones have come a long way from those monophonic and polyphonic synthesized tones. Now they're called "mastertones" which are pure 15 second MP3 cuts from CD's or anywhere else music is produced. Whether downloaded directly into a cell phone from Verizon, Cingular, Sprint, or T-Mobile, or from an Internet site like Jamster, you can find ringtones and listen to samples from every genre of music, along with movie clips, wallpaper for your phone, and cell phone games. (in case there's a moment in the day that isn't filled up with music, DVD's, video games, and TV.)

Driven by the youth culture's insatiable hunger to individuate and customize, industry sales topped $4 Billion in 2004 world wide, and continually outsells all other musical sales online. That's right, ringtones are making more money than any song downloaded from iTunes, Napster, MusicMatch or anywhere else.

Take the case of Kyle. Barely in his twenties, he works, goes to school and has an active social life with lots of friends. "Would he consider doing an impromptu interview?" I wondered.

Twenty years his senior, I risked rejection, but since he rents a room in our house, and he was stuck watching his dinner cook on the stove, I knew I had a chance.

"Hey Kyle, how's it going? Do you download ringtones?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said with a slight tinge of embarrassment, "I buy a lot of ringtones." he said with a hesitance to leave the conversation and let his food burn. "Everyone of my friends and family all have their own." He's referring to the practice of assigning a specific ringtone to each individual in your contact list, so you know who's calling by the song that's played.

"Cool...can you remember who has what tone?" I asked.

"No. But each group has a similar sound, depending on who they are." I assume that means Marilyn Manson tunes would play for his Goth friends, and maybe Country Gospel for his family, etc.

I thought I was unique in discovering this tone assignment skill. I gave my daughter "Nocturne" on my Nokia phone, because she stays up late every chance she gets. The guy who worked in the cube next to me downloaded new ringtones every week, and assigned them to each person according to how he presently felt about them. A baby crying tone for his daughter, a rocketship blasting off for some business contact, scream sounds for his wife. All day long... ringtone after ringtone... week after week. I don't work there anymore.

Ringtones are so popular that Billboard now tracks the top 100 downloads. Hits like "My Goodies" by R&B singer Ciara have sold over 1 million ringtones.

The cell phone carriers maintain tight control of their systems and so far, the hacking industry hasn't figured out how to get a ringtone inside a cell phone directly, at least that I'm aware of. So this gold mine for the music industry has been piracy proof. Which means that the supply of new ringtones will never be exhausted.

Rick David writes a feature column entitled, "Don't Laugh, It Could Happen To You" for San Diego Merchant America.com

---

Motorola RAZR V3 Camera Phone

Months before my current cell phone plan expires, I like to begin diligently researching my options by checking out all the plans and models out there. The... Read More

Cellular Phones ? Things to Consider When Buying a Phone

Staying connected with a cell phone has become a way of life for most people. As a result, there are many types of cell phones on the... Read More

Say Goodbye to Traditional Telephone Lines

Like old, dusty books on the shelves of public libraries, regular home telephone lines have been plummeting in popularity. Some experts even foresee that traditional LAN telephone... Read More

Advantages and Disadvantages of Prepaid Cell Phones

We are constantly seeing advertisements on TV promoting cell phones and cell phones carriers with what they call great introductory offers if you sign up with them... Read More

Smart Phones ? Are They Really A Smart Decision

First, there was the standard land line phone system; then came the cell phone ? a convenient little portable item that everyone adopted a "must have" attitude... Read More

Cell Phones Can Damage Your Eyes

A recent scientific study identified a link between microwave radiation of the kind emitted by cellular phones and two different kinds of damage to the eye. At... Read More

Cell Phone Abuse - Tips to Curb Employee Abuse

Looking for a way to save your enterprise or government organization tens of thousands of dollars a month or more on wireless mobile communication use? First off,... Read More

Camera Cell Phone Video

Camera cell phone video - description.Camera cell phone video is new development that 2 - 3 years ago found its way into the nowadays cellular phone market.... Read More

SMS 101 - Short Message Service Explained

Short Message Service (SMS) is a quick and simple way to communicate short messages via mobile phones, handheld devices, and increasingly even landline telephones. Commonly known as... Read More

Motorola Cellular Phone

Motorola cellular phone ? description.Motorola has a great selection of phones and by acquiring a Motorola cellular phone you are getting yourself one of the best and... Read More

Choosing a Phone and Voice Mail System

Phone and voice mail systems can be pretty costly, even for companies with a low number of users. Before investing in any type of phone system or... Read More

Ringtone Creation Software - Creating Raves or Waves?

Okay, so we all know that you can change the ringtone on your mobile phone by purchasing a ringtone online. In fact, there are an endless number... Read More

Read This Before Getting A NEW Cellular Phone

It seems like these days, there are a million and one different cellular phones and service plans on the market all claiming to be the BEST. How... Read More

Is That Your Cell Phone Ringing or Mine?

The newest technology is incredible and getting better. The newest 3G technologies have the ability now to find your exact position and with a little work and... Read More

Cell Phone Etiquette

CELL PHONE ETIQUETTE Okay, I'll admit I... Read More

Camera Cell Digital Phone

Camera cell digital phone - description.Camera cell digital phone is a cellular phone that uses digital technology (as opposite to analog) and has a camera attached to... Read More

Americans Catching on to Wireless Text Messaging

Once considered a teenage fad, text messaging popularity in the United States is rising dramatically. According to The Wall Street Journal, 4.7 billion text messages were sent... Read More

Your Company and Your Office Phone System

The telephone is an extremely important piece of equipment and a good office phone system is at the centre of any smoothly run company. In today's modern... Read More

Camera Cell Phone

Camera cell phone ? benefits.Camera cell phone is a great new development in the current market. It combines the benefits of a cellular phone and camera in... Read More

Protect Yourself From Cell Phone Radiation

With cell phones quickly becoming an important part of our everyday lives, it's frightening to think that the radiation from cellular phones may cause health problems. Even... Read More

Cell Phones Accessories - Get More...

Accessories can complete an outfit, dress up something like a purse, a coat or shoes. Accessories can also add to the performance of something like a cell... Read More

The Telephone ? A Brief History

During the 1870's, two well known inventors both independently designed devices that could transmit sound along electrical cables. Those inventors were Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray.... Read More

Buying a New Business Phone System

Buying a new business phone system is one of the most important purchases any business will ever make. The selection of a phone system can either bring... Read More

Cell Phones Endanger Children

If your child uses a cell phone, take note. A recent news report has prompted renewed concerns about the safety of cell phone use, especially by children.In... Read More

Recognizing Common Cellular Phone Problems

Cellular phones are in schools, banks, malls, and homes across the country. While cellular phones have been an important technological advancement, they're not without their drawbacks.Reliability is... Read More

Some Tips For The Safe Use of Cell Phones And Batteries

1. Increase the life span of your cell phone and battery by following the manufacturer's directions for using the phone and charging the battery.2. Do not use... Read More