"soundslikeaphone" ringtones

Driven to distraction by annoying mobile phone ringtones, Andrew Missingham, a former director of performing arts at the ICA who now runs an arts consultancy, The Hub, has launched a website aimed at replacing the Crazy Frog with gentler sounds.

soundslikeaphone.com offer a range of ringtones recorded from real telephones from the Darvel Telephone Museum in Scotland, ranging from modern phones and recent classics like GPO trimphones, all the way back to a 1911 hand-cranked bell, to create ringtones that won't make you cringe if your phone goes off when you're out or in a meeting.

[via The Guardian]

At Cellphone Show, the Talk Is About Music

The hot topic among mobile phone executives gathered in San Francisco for a cellphone trade show is the push to transform handsets into portable music players, reports The New York Times.

"Clint Wheelock, an analyst for NPD Group, a market research firm, said the wireless carriers were hoping to follow the huge success of the Apple iPod music player. Evolving technology has made it less expensive to build music capability into a phone than in the past. Some analysts say the cost of adding music-organizing software and more memory will be as little as $30 a phone.

Equally important to the music phone's success is having millions of consumers accustomed to downloading and listening to digital music. Indeed, some phone companies believe a music phone can become a strong competitor to a stand-alone music player like the iPod.

Still, there are obstacles. Consumers have not always embraced new features, particularly when they absorb battery life and could detract from the phone's main use: making calls.

The handset makers also are not likely to add so much memory that the phones will be able to hold the vast music libraries that iPods can hold."

"Personalise Skype"

Skype today launched Personalise Skype, letting Skype's 55 million callers show off their individuality with sounds, ringtones and pictures. [via e-mail press release]

Available now at personal.skype.com, the Personalise Skype service allows Skype users with the latest version of Skype for Windows 1.4 to download pre-recorded voice clips and sounds to use as a ringtone or to customise any of the default sound events in Skype . There is also a wide variety of pictures and avatars.

Related: - Skype's Big Idea: Ringtones?

Hi-tech posters want you to look, listen, sniff

Last week posters promoting the new the cartoon band Gorillaz' single went live in Sydney and Melbourne. Hypertag, the infra-red technology behind the posters, allows people to point their phones at a poster and download a 40-second ringtone grab of the single.

EMI is following in the footsteps of Universal Pictures and Coca-Cola, which have both used interactive posters to bring their brands to life.

Over a fortnight earlier this year, 1800 people downloaded ringtones, wallpaper and a calendar reminding them of the release of the film "War of the Worlds" from 10 such posters . [via The Sydney Morning Herald]

Previous campaign involving ringtones and Hypertag:

-- Summer Festivals Get Hypertags

-- Interactive hypertags campaing for "The War of the Worlds" on bus shelter poster

-- New Order promos album with free ringtones

-- Hypertag to hand out national and rugby anthem ringtones to fans

-- Wearable Hypertags used in field marketing at music and sporting events

Sam Goody cross-sells ringtones with store CDs

To grab a share of the hot ringtones market, retail chain Sam Goody will launch a G-Tones service next month to let shoppers order cell phone ringtones tied to music CDs displayed in its 465 stores, the retailer says, reports Internet Retailer.com.

"Sam Goody is looking to capitalize on the willingness of consumers to spend $2 to $3 for a single ringtone—a section of favorite song that they can record on a cell phone –even though they pay only 99 cents to download a single full song to their computers and digital medial players".

Music Video Album Released On Mobile Memory Card By V2

Virgin's 'independent-style' record label, V2Music has teamed up with mobile video solutions developer Rok Player to announce the release of an 'indie music video album' for playing on mobile phones.

The videos are stored on a memory card which simply plugs into compatible mobile handsets for full-screen play, so there's no need to download or stream the content.

Using Rok Player technology, indie kids can play back audio-visual content preloaded on memory cards at an impressive 24 frames a second (full screen) on compatible mobile handsets.

Rok Player-compatible mobile phones include the latest Nokia handsets such as the 6630 and the 6680 and the N-Gage series. [via Digital-Lifestyle.info]

Articles related to Rok Player:

-- Hip-hop artist Bizarre releases debut album on mobile handset memory card

-- First ever music video album for mobiles dances off the shelves

-- Full Lenght Movies on Your Mobile Phone

Billboard Mobile Rolls Out With Cingular

Cingular Wireless customers can now use their mobile phones to interact with music in an entirely new way, thanks to the launch of Billboard Mobile.

Billboard Mobile is an all new, first-of-its-kind mobile music application that gives Cingular customers access to music and entertainment news, Billboard charts and local concert information, as well as Billboard featured master tones, directly from their wireless phone.

Available exclusively to Cingular customers for the next month, Billboard Mobile is tightly integrated with Billboard.com (Thanks Henry!)

Taking on Germany's Ring-Tone Master

Following last week's ruling by the UK Advertising Standards Authority, that the Crazy Frog ringtone commercial not be shown before 9 p.m, now Deutsche Welle reports that "MTV has announced an indefinite ban on direct-response TV spots between 4 p.m. and midnight, starting Oct. 1.

The move is part of a "new advertising strategy," a representative for Berlin-based MTV Networks Germany told Billboard Magazine. "The aim is to reach older target groups and raise the interest of traditional advertisers."

Critics say that ring-tone advertisements flood TV to the point of tedium". [via Agenda Inc.]

Nokia introduces Nokia XpressMusic

Nokia has introduced "Nokia XpressMusic", a dedicated feature brand that makes it easy for consumers to identify Nokia's portfolio of music-optimised mobile devices, according to eFinland.

"Phones with XpressMusic have certain features that ensure the best mobile music listening. These include dedicated music keys, music pause/resume on incoming calls, and extended battery life.

The announcement coincides with the introduction of the Nokia 3250, the company's second music-optimised device, expected to be in shops in the first quarter of 2006.

According to Nokia, the company has sold over 10mn mobile phones with an integrated digital music player in 2004. Sales for 2005 are expected to exceed 40mn.

Nokia Twists Again with New Music Phone

Nokia has launched a new handset that has an unusual keypad twisting design, reports Cellular News. This unique design twists to transform a traditional phone keypad into dedicated music keys.

"The Nokia 3250 stores up to 1 Gigabyte (750 songs) of high quality music and offers 10 hours of music play. In addition, consumers can take advantage of the Nokia 3250's two-megapixel camera and smartphone capabilities. The triband GSM 900/1800/1900 model is expected to start shipping in the first quarter 2006 with an estimated retail price of 350 EUR before subsidies or taxes."

Scott Storch Gets Into Ringtones

He's written huge singles for the likes of Lil Kim, Beyonce, 50 Cent, Dr.Dre, Lil' John and Xzibit and worked with Mariah Carey, The Roots and Toni Braxton.

Now hip-hop's most prolific songwriter/producer/musician Scott Storch is devoting his time to more…worthwhile ventures. Believe it or not, the guy is now writing ringtones.

Teaming up with America's leading provider of real music ringtones, 9 Squared Inc. and entertainment management firm IIAMG, Scorch will be providing original ringtones that will be distributed through all the major brands.

[via Undercover]

Sprint Customers Can Now Create Their Own Ringtones

Sprint has announced the launch of ToneMaker DJ, a new mobile Music Tone application enabling customers to easily create original Music Tones, right on their phones.

In addition, the application's "DJ Lounge" community offers powerful features that allow the best ringers to gain recognition, be heard and even purchased by the application's subscribers. [Press release]

Free Morse ringtones

AndyB is a ringtone programmer for one of the largest wholesalers of ringtones in the UK and a musician and composer of 20 years experience. In his spare time, he is also to be found surfing the airwaves using the oldest of digital communication systems: morse code.

According to Andy, there has never been easy (or free) way to get personalized ringtones in morse code, so he turned his attention and his love of the medium to the problem and created a completely free web resource that generates morse code MIDI tracks playable on most mobile devices from whatever the user types in, available at http://www.braintank.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/midi/morse2mid.php

Andy said "Despite being an outmoded way of communicating, morse seems destined to live on forever and interest in it keeps returning in waves every few years. The recent Jay Leno test showing morse code guys easily whipping the fastest text SMS dude is just one example and there will always be an indelible romance associated with the golden era of morse in the first half of the last century." [via e-mail press release]

Will Ringtones Go the Way of the Beeper?

Will full tracks cannibalize ringtones? IDC analyst Lewis Ward told TechNewsWorld the answer is a resounding "no." Ringtones, he said, are personal statements about the user. Full tracks, on the other hand, are more about personal music taste and selection.

"Ringtones is an emerging young. Many people don't even have a phone that allows them to download a ringtone or just haven't ever downloaded a ringtone yet. So the idea that we've already hit some sort of saturation point is just not true," Ward said. "We are certainly not forecasting the disappearance of ringtones based on the emergence of full tracks."

Another warning about earbuds

Another important article warning about hearing damage from listening to music with portable devices and eardrums.

Play it loud, and you may pay for it. A warning to all about those earbuds. Digital devices reproduce music so cleanly, listeners are less likely to turn it down. From San Francisco Chronicle.

"Medical experts are beginning to worry that the shiny little devices that have taken the music world by storm could pose some risks for hearing loss down the road, if they aren't used properly.

"People don't look into the sun to see if it damages their eyes," says Dr. Robert Sweetow, director of audiology at UCSF. "It continually amazes me that people don't realize if you blast your ears, you're going to hurt your ears.

Although there is no scientific data yet to support the contention, audiologists like Sweetow are concerned that the portable music players make it far too easy to listen to music for longer periods of time at an excessive volume through the trademark "earbuds" manufactured by Apple and other companies.

With the earbuds -- earphones inserted into the ear that come as standard equipment on portable music players -- the sound is placed close to the eardrum, and the digital signal that delivers clean, clear sound at virtually any volume without distortion, personal listening devices can easily be played at unsafe levels.

"There are three factors involved," says audiologist Douglas L. Beck, director of professional relations for hearing aid manufacturers Oticon Inc. "One is individual susceptibility and, two, how loud and, three, how long. You can listen forever at reasonable loudness. If it's too loud, it doesn't matter how long. It's a matter of loudness. If you can hear headphones two or three feet away, it's probably too loud."

Related articles:

-- Headphones linked to hearing loss?

-- iPod warning: turn it down

-- Mobiles could lead to hearing loss among college kids

-- Siemens phones may cause hearing damage

Ringtones fuel craze for mobile downloads

An interesting article from the BBC on the Mintel study, on how ringtones are fuelling the UK's mobile market downloading boom, thanks to third generation (3G) mobile phones - which enable users to download better quality ringtones and games - boosted by their integration with music singles in the UK charts.

"The most exciting thing about the mobile download market is that it is new and fresh. It's like the internet was a few years ago - people are just beginning to realise its potential."

... "It's a massive growth market," says Vodafone spokesman Ben Taylor.

"3G has increased the capacity and quality of what we can offer," he says. "It allows us to offer 300,000 tracks - everything from Bach to Bowie."

... "The challenge facing the industry is to produce more substantial products that will attract older people, supplying products that can compete with other sophisticated leisure activities."

Watchdog kicks Crazy Frog ad outside kids' viewing time

That Crazy Frog is in trouble again, according to ABC Money.

"UK's The Advertising Standards Authority today ruled that the commercial for Crazy Frog ringtone not be shown before 9 p.m.

"The advertising watchdog was responding to complaints from nearly 300 parents who said their children had run up large bills after downloading the ringtone.

The ASA said the ringtone firm Jamster failed to make it clear that it offered its services on a subscription basis and that the ringtone was not available on a one-off payment basis.

This is the second time that Jamster was hauled up for failing to make subscription charges sufficiently clear."

Virgin Mobile Launching First Music Phone

Virgin Mobile will launch their first music phone beginning in October, according to Phone Scoop.

"...the Slider Sonic includes an AOL Instant Messenger client. It also will include additional VirginXL content such as exclusive music videos and shorts from heavy.com.

Virgin will sell a number of accessories for the Sonic including a music dock and a headset with music controls and a 3.5mm jack to plug in your own headphones."

UK is nation of 'mobile download junkies'

UK mobile phone users are "download junkies" spending a whopping £740m on ringtones, games and pictures, according to research outfit Mintel, reports The Register.

"The surge in spending - up from £40m in 2002 - is attributed to the ease of downloading and increasing familiarity with digital gear.

Ringtones account for a third of all downloads with games racking up a quarter of sales. The rest is made up of wallpapers/screensaves, music and gambling, with gaming set to explode over the next 12 months."

Nokia Postpones Launch of its N91 Music Mobile Phone

Nokia announced that they will be delaying the release of their N91 music mobile phone to the first quarter of 2006. The firm originally planned the launch of the N91 for the last quarter of this year, just in time for the Christmas season.

However, Nokia now states that the postponement is to ensure that its music phone is compatible with an extremely wide array of music platforms and will be a true mobile music device.

Nokia's N91 mobile phone is said to feature a 4GB hard drive that can store up to 3,000 songs. It will operate on high-speed 3G and wireless LAN networks. [via MobileMag]

MASTTONES BRINGS BOLLYWOOD AND BHANGRA CONTENT TO U.S. CELLPHONES

Don't be surprised if Shah Rukh Khan's face starts appearing on your Aunties' cellphones, or a polyphonic Raghav song starts bumping in a taxi cab on your next ride. Indian culture has finally made it in America as evidenced by the new line of Indian-themed ringtones and images now available on several major U.S. cellphone carriers.

South Asians and other fans of Indian music — from traditional sitar and romantic Bollywood movie tunes to Bhangra-hip hop-reggae mixes — can now select ringtones from these genres and more with Masttones, created by eMbience for wireless providers across North America.

In addition, Masttones features the latest music from newer bands from around the world, including Karmacy and Junoon. [via e-mail press release].

First video ringtones lauched in India

Wireless solutions provider Mauj Telecom has launched the first-of-its-kind video ringtones in India, reports Hindustan Times.

"... Essentially, the video ringtone is a brief video sequence from a music video or animation clip to announce the incoming calls. When a user receives an incoming call, the user will experience a high quality video clip on his screen announcing the call along with amazing sounds. The caller's name will appear on the display of the video, if it is already stored in your mobile phone memory."

Jamster! Offers To Stop Sales To Kids

Following widespread criticism of its subscription signup, Jamster! (the company responsible for the "Crazy Frog" craze), is letting parents inhibit content from Jamster! from being downloaded to their kids' phone, according to 160characters.org.

"The Guardian service allows parents to enter a mobile phone number onto a Jamster! web site to prevent content from being downloaded to that phone."

Related articles:

-- Teens dialing up ring tone trouble

-- Jamster sued for false advertising

Search n Find Ringtones

Search n Find Ringtones is a search engine for mobile content, combining the databases of 4
major mobile content providers (MediaPlazza, Ringtonio.nl, MobileMoney, Multivea Mobile).

Related: - RingBits, a Ringtone search engine

Donald Trump ringtones

The New York Post reports that Donald Trump and Warner Music Group have reached a wide-ranging deal to launch Trump Mobile — a suite of products that includes ringtones, video ringtones and Trump wallpaper for cellphone screens.

The deal, with Warner's Rhino Entertainment label, will launch today on T-Mobile, followed by releases on other wireless carriers over the next couple of weeks. Other carriers on board are Cingular, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel.

Among the phrases offered in Trump's voice are: "Why not answer your phone, you could be missing out on some really big business" and "You're getting a phone call and, believe me, it better be important. I have no time for small talk and neither do you."

See also article in CNN, with this priceless quote:

"When Donald Trump's voice is coming out of your cell phone, everyone around you will know you mean business," Trump said in a statement to the paper. "With Trump Mobile personalization products, people can finally get some valuable advice while their phones are ringing."

Will the Music Cellphones Sweeping Japan Play in the U.S.?

Japan's successful music-cellphone formula may not be a hit in the U.S. due to a variety of factors, including cheaper American music downloads and more advanced Japanese cellular networks, reports the WSJ, in article which compares the two markets.

"The revenue from the music sold over mobile phones -- from simple ringtones to full songs -- accounts for about 20% of Japan's total music market, says consulting firm Bain & Co. Though full-song cellular downloads started here less than a year ago, analysts estimate that revenue from them will hit $449 million in 2005.

The cellphone-music market in Japan has already surpassed the market for music downloaded using a PC, which is often for later use on a digital music player. In the first six months of 2005, total revenue from PC-based music downloading was just $4.8 million, compared with $122.1 million for music -- not including ringtones -- downloaded to cellphones, according to the Recording Industry Association of Japan.

... In the U.S., cellphones that play music have been available since the beginning of the year, but cellular carriers aren't selling the songs. The handsets with music players offered by Sprint Nextel Corp. and Verizon Wireless let cellphone users download music files from their computers to their phones, which means the music comes from their own collections as well as online music stores. That's also the case with the new Rokr phone from Motorola Inc., Apple and Cingular Wireless, which is tied to Apple's iTunes music program.

Both Sprint and Verizon Wireless have announced they will launch full-track, over-the-air music downloading services by the end of this year and early next year, respectively."

RealNetworks, Sprint Will Offer Radio via Phones

Sprint Nextel Corp. and RealNetworks Inc. today plan to introduce an Internet radio service for Sprint wireless customers, in another step by U.S. carriers to add music capabilities to mobile phones, reports the WSJ.

"The deal is the first to bring a portion of the Rhapsody music service, from Seattle-based RealNetworks, to wireless phones. Rhapsody Radio for Sprint PCS customers has a half-dozen channels of music programs.

... Rhapsody Radio allows users to listen to "streams," or broadcasts, of music programming that require a constant connection to Sprint's wireless network."

More in Moco News.

Inside A Makeover

Newsweek explores how music-industry giants are retooling in an attempt to survive the digital future.

"All of the labels share similar visions of providing music to the consumer wherever, whenever and however he or she wants it. The path to get there, however, remains murky. EMI Music CEO Alain Levy, the industry veteran who built Polygram into a success before selling it to Universal, sees five digital business models emerging so far:

-- downloads to PCs, downloads to mobile

-- subscriptions

-- ring tones, tunes (original songs)

-- ringbacks (which the caller hears)

-- peer-to-peer

.. . All the labels are experimenting. One of Levy's secret weapons is Ted Cohen, head of digital development and distribution.

One of his discoveries is WideRay, a Bluetooth technology that can "ping" (message) people as they go past and offer a product.

EMI tried it in London, beaming a Coldplay screensaver to passersby. The company is now testing a prototype in the United States that would allow a customer entering a store the option of opening his or her cell phone to "pings" including click-on songs, ring tunes or artist biographies, all catering to the tastes of repeat customers.

Cohen is also working with Microsoft on a service for airports that allows passengers to upload five hours of music to rent, with an option to mark certain songs to buy".

Skype's Big Idea: Ringtones?

Rafat Ali for Moco News has picked up on an entry in Skype's Journal on Skype's launch of ringtones and wallpapers.

I have to agree:

"Skype apparently missed the most basic questions. Why have mobile ring tones been so successful? And why are they so viral?

Ringtones are a very vocal method of pimping out your mobile phone. They provide personality, add visibility and ring in public places. By contrast Skype ringtones are often taken in an office, or simply heard behind a headset. While it may be nice to change your ring tone at home or in the office, you are unlikely to get the attention the same money secures for your mobile. In the current mode it appears too expensive to be interesting."

Britney Spears Promotes New Fragrance With Free Ringtones

Britney Spears, - who just had a baby boy - has launched a new fragrance called Fantasy, reports Mocoblog.

www.fantasybritneyspears.com went live yesterday. "Fans will be able to download cell phone ringtones with messages from Britney, wallpaper for their phones and online games.

"The tones are all real tones (or voice tones) which have Britney saying things like, “Hey hottie, your phone is ringing” and “This is Britney, in my fantasy you pick up the phone.”