May 11, 2008
Sprint Nextel sued for mobile content charges
Sprint Nextel Corp. is facing a lawsuit claiming it's charging its customers for ringtones, sports scores and other services that the phone's owner didn't approve.
The case, filed by California resident James Peetz, joins several dozen similar lawsuits filed across the country against some of the nation's largest mobile phone providers.
[via The Hays Daily News]
May 9, 2008
Slate offers Free Political Ringtones
Slate is offering free political ringtones.
You can choose to hear John McCain say, "My friends," every time you get a call. Or if you're in a less friendly mood, you can switch to Hillary's "Shame on you, Barack Obama!" ring tone.
To get a ring tone, send a text message with one of the order codes listed below to the number 98999. For the Hillary laugh, for example, text SLATE LAUGH to the number 98999.
Or if you just want to listen, click here and scroll down.
[via Gawker]
May 8, 2008
Don't Answer That Phone Call - Just Yet
Turkish operator, Turkcell has launched "TonlaKazan" ("Tone&Win") which offers branded ringback tones to its subscribers. The customers then earn airtime credits by letting callers to their mobile phone listen to the ringback tone - which is basically an advert.
Turkcell customers win airtime or credits depending on the amount of time their callers listen to a branded RingBack Tone selected by the customer.
[via Cellular News]
May 7, 2008
iPhone ringtones you can subscribe to
Ringtone Feeder is a ringtone service that you can subscribe to by the week or year, and the ringtones are delivered like podcasts - automatically.
[via iPhone, Therefore I Blog]
May 6, 2008
Islamic Militants Ban Mobile Phone Ringtones
Islamic militants in Pakistan's tribal areas, which border Afghanistan have issued a decree banning music from mobile phone ringtones and vehicles in tribal areas of the country.
A spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Maulana Faqir Mohammed said, the they would not allow commuters to play music in their cars or use musical ringtones on mobile phones.
He warned that offenders would be punished according to Shariah laws. [via Cellular News. Photo illustrating Shariah law from Frontline World]
Related:
-- Mobile ringtones using Holy Quran verses are banned in Saudi Arabia
-- Religious leaders squabble over Koran ringtones
-- Muslim clerics in India: No Quran verses as cell phone ringtone
May 5, 2008
Free Mating Call Ring Tones
eNature is offering mating call ringtones, recorded by some of the best naturalists and audio engineers in the world.
Included in the tones are coyotes, tree frogs, squirrels, sea lions and monkeys, just to name a few.
Apparently very few animals have a specific sound or vocalization that's exclusively used for mating. Most DO have songs or calls they use to attract the opposite sex, warn off competitors or claim a specific territory. Some calls do all three at once, others in some combination.
[via Curbly]
May 4, 2008
Discovery Rings Up ‘Boom-De-Yada’
Discovery Channel is making its on-air brand spot, “ I Love The Mountains,” better known as “Boom-De-Yada,” available as free downloadable ringtones and MP3 files.
Downloadable video and six different ringtones are available at the Plug In! area of discovery.com. Ringtones can be downloaded directly from cell phones at discoverychannel.com. All downloads are free.
[via MultiChannel News]
May 3, 2008
Virgin Mobile, Burger King team on ringtone deal
Virgin Mobile USA announced a deal with Burger King and Warner Music Group to introduce the fast-food giant's BK Value Menu concept to the mobile platform, offering subscribers a selection of ringtones for $1.00 each.
The Virgin Mobile Ringtone Value Menu powered by Burger King allows Virgin Mobile USA customers to choose from a list of available options via the VirginXL WAP deck
or online at www.virginmobileusa.com or $1.00 each.
The WMG artists featured were chosen to appeal to a wide range of music tastes and also include Buckcherry, Casa De Leones, Danity Kane, Estelle, War, Group 1 Crew, James Otto, Plies...
[via FierceMobile Content]
May 2, 2008
Federal judge sets formula for Internet music royalties
A federal court on Wednesday established a formula for determining the Internet royalties owed to thousands of music composers, writers and publishers by three major online services — Yahoo Inc., AOL and RealNetworks Inc.
Under the formula endorsed by U.S. District Judge William Conner's, AOL owed 2006 fees of $5.95 million and Yahoo owed $6.76 million.
... "This historic decision, for the first time, provides a clear framework for how the online use of musical works should be appropriately valued," said John LoFrumento, ASCAP's chief executive.
[via the Associated Press]
May 1, 2008
Global campaign to warn school children about illegla music downloading
The charity Childnet is launching a global information campaign to warn children about the potential dangers of downloading music illegally. The BBC reports.
"The campaign, which is supported by the music industry, will distribute a pocket-sized guide to schools and colleges in 21 countries.
Childnet says the risks include breach of copyright, the threat of viruses and the loss of privacy and security. "
April 30, 2008
iPhone ad ringtones
If you are interested in getting the ringtone you hear at the end of every iPhone television ad, You can download it here for free thanks to Sean over at Lifeclever:
To install, just download it. Then, use iTunes to put it on your iPhone.
Apparently, it’s doesn’t come installed on the iPhone. You can’t even buy it from the iTunes Music Store.
If like me, you love the music that plays throughout the ad, "Perfect Timing" by Orba Squara, you can download it on your computer here, from iPhoneAlley.
[via TUWA]
April 29, 2008
Free music may cripple Nokia financially
Nokia's "Comes With Music" program, offering those who purchase Nokia phones nearly unlimited free access to a large music database, could cost the company more than it would make.
According to The Register, Nokia would be responsible for footing the bill for downloads that exceed the estimated limit of 35 songs per user, charged wholesale per unit. The move reportedly pressured Ed Averdieck, former Managing Director of Nokia Music, to leave his position.
[via electronista
April 28, 2008
Mobile Music on Track in Germany
The mobile music market in Germany has long focused on ringtones, but full-track downloads are selling in increasingly larger numbers, reports eMarketer.
"According to new figures from BITKOM and GfK Panel Services, 5.2 million full-track songs were downloaded to mobile phones last year, an increase of 53% over 2006.
Revenues grew by one-third to hit €8 million ($11 million), while the average price of a song dropped to €1.42 ($1.95).
Greater memory capacity and the increased uptake of faster mobile services are helping fuel the growth.
Downloading of ringtones, meanwhile, is on the decline. German mobile users downloaded 23.2 million ringtones in 2007, a notable drop from 29.2 million in 2006.
Ringtone revenues fell 26% to €53 million ($73 million). That is still more than six times the revenue for full-track downloads, but if current trends continue, ringtones' dominant position may not hold."
April 25, 2008
Digital Procuts/iPOD Tax
Tennessee Republicans are raising the alarm about a new tax proposal they say the Bredesen administration is formulating, reports WDEF News 12.
"They say the Department of Revenue is considering a Digital Procuts/iPOD Tax.
An analysis by a Nashville law firm claims that it would make digital purchases of movies, music, news and entertainment programs, ringtones, and electronic books subject to the retail sales tax."
Digital Products/iPOD Tax. The Bill contains sweeping legislation that would subject downloaded sales of digital media, including music videos, motion pictures, news and entertainment programs, music, ringtones, electronic books, etc. to the retail sales tax. Under current law digitally delivered goods are not taxable unless delivered in a tangible form.
April 24, 2008
Sex and The City (the movie) Ringtones
New Line Records will release the original soundtrack of the feature film version of the beloved HBO television series "Sex And The City," which is due in theaters on May 30th. And exclusive ringtones for the soundtrack will be available on April 25th by texting "SEXCITY" to 71777.
[via Press release]
April 23, 2008
Nokia Music Store France goes live
Nokia Conversations reports on the opening today of the French Nokia Music Store.
"The opening follows yesterday's launch of the Nokia Music Store in Australia and the recent launches earlier this month in Ireland and the Netherlands.
Over 2.5 million tracks will be available from EU1 each or EU10 ($1.59) per album. Users are also able to subscribe for EU10 ($15.89) per month to get unlimited access to the music of their choice.
Like the other stores, the French edition includes music from local artists. Local music makes up 60 per cent of the songs in the French 'Hit Parade'.
Free music will also be on offer to users every week to help new artists get discovered."
April 22, 2008
Canada. Ringtones now qualify for 'gold' and 'platinum' status
FP Post reports that the Canadian Recording Industry Association has started issuing "gold" and "platinum" designations for downloads of songs as ringtones.
"The first awards were announced on Tuesday, with 43 tunes certified as platinum and 17 noted as gold.
In Canada, 40,000 downloads qualifies a ringtone for platinum status, with 20,000 needed for gold.
As a point of comparison, unit sales of 50,000 of a CD or vinyl album are needed for an album to be deemed gold, with 100,000 required for platinum."
Nokia signs Sony BMG for free music offering
Nokia will offer free 12-month access to music from artists of Sony BMG, the world's second-biggest label, to buyers of its particular music phones, the world's top cellphone maker said on Tuesday. Reuters reports.
"... Sony BMG, home to artists including Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen and Celine Dion, is jointly owned by Sony Corp and German media group Bertelsmann AG.
The new music offering from Nokia -- the first cellphone maker to push heavily into content -- would differ from any other package on the market as users can keep all the music they have downloaded during the 12 months."
Apple Considering 'Free' Access to iTunes Library
Apple is talking with the major record labels about a change in the iTunes Store business model that would give customers free access to the store's complete music library, according to The Financial Times. The catch is that consumers would pay a premium for Apple's iPod and iPhone devices.
[via Mobile tech Today]
