Ford Mustang rocks your phone

Ford rolled out a new, well, treat for Mustang fans today - cell phone ringtones, reports Autoblog.

"One of the available ringtones is "The Star Spangled Banner," played with Mustang exhaust tones.

Another downloadable ringtone is the sound of the car's exhaust as it runs through the gears.

Other engine tones:

-- FX and G Sedan and Coupe ringtones - The ringtones will allow all Infiniti enthusiasts to experience the engine roars of both the FX and G Sedan and Coupe whenever they receive a call or message

-- LG's Sports Car Mobile Phone with Vroom Vroom Ringtone - the LG M4300 shaped like a car, has an interesting (and obvious) featured missed out by most; it comes with a "car starting engine ringtone, to give users more speedy vibe".

-- Aston Martin engine as a ring tone - A limited edition of Aston Martin and Motorola co-branded handsets, the Motorola V600, are being made. They will be branded with the Aston Martin logo and feature the sound of an Aston Martin engine as a ring tone".

-- Formula 1 engine ringtone - Siemens, who has partnered with the Formula 1 racing series since 1998, will premiere official Grand Prix cell phones in Barcelona. Available as a limited edition, the two new models (S55 S and C55 C) will be configured with distinctive Formula 1 motifs, the F1 logo as a screensaver, and engine-sound ringtones. (2003)

Warner Music, Skype team up on ringtones

Skype and Warner Music Group Corp. are expected to announce today a licensing agreement to bring ringtones to Internet phone service, reports the WSJ .

According to Rafat Ali on Moco News, "Skype is expected to sell the ringtones — 30-second song snippets that sound off when a call comes in — for $1.50 each. The deal, which is the first of its kind for both companies, will kick in within two months. This is a blanket license for the whole catalog, and Skype will initially promote Madonna as a “featured artist"

Music marketing gets digital tune-up

Reuters has a good overview of the marketing of music in today's world.

"Before the dawn of the digital age, music marketing and promotion used to be all about getting played on radio and MTV and scoring good reviews. But the game has changed dramatically as fans turn increasingly to the Web and digital and mobile music services.

... Various artists have also struck deals with Internet and mobile-telephone companies who have become partners in an album's release in exchange for the rights to sell audio and visual downloads of songs.

... Music insiders say wireless companies are particularly keen to put marketing dollars behind hot music acts. As the price of phone calls continues to decline, wireless providers are looking for new sources of revenue by selling data and premium services like music downloads and musical ringtones.

... After years of supplying videos free of charge to MTV and other outlets, record labels are now getting revenues for videos from Internet, cable, satellite and wireless services."

BERLINCALLIN'

BERLINCALLIN' is calling all artists and creative people to submit videoringtones and video clips.

BERLINCALLIN connects visual artists with the industry. They are building a databse to pitch artists work to the industry and the industry's needs to the artists. They are looking for quality video clips (3D, Flash, animation and film) for videoringtones and mobile clips.

The artist gets a 50% revenue share if his/her work is published.

[Press Release]

Ringtone sales ring up music profits

USA Today has a positive outlook article on the ringtone industry with some interesting facts:

"Ringtone sales are off the hook. And while the revenue stream is only a trickle in the $12 billion industry, it's growing feverishly as CDs slump.

"In 2005, tones pulled in $600 million, 20% ahead of estimates and more than double the 2004 take.

The year's leader, 50 Cent's Candy Shop, sold 1.9 million downloads, more than the top-selling digital song: Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl, with 1.2 million."

Swedes Vote for the "Realtone of the Year"

In connection with this year's Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Awards, the "Grammisgalan" on February 7, Telia and Nokia will be giving a newly established prize for "Realtone of the Year". [via Cellular News]

"The winner will be selected by the Swedish people, who can vote by phone or SMS up to February 5. Those who vote have a chance to win tickets to the "Grammisgalan" event."

Related:

-- Grammy Award Winners Expected to be Heard on Cell Phones Soon

-- Junior Eurovision Song Contest ringtones

Endtones and Hang-up Tones

Here's something new: Endtones or disconnect tones "to enhance the user experience when a wireless connection is completed. "

Endtone disconnect tones are marketed and sold like ring tones. Whereas ring tones signify incoming calls, endtone notify wireless device users that voice and data connections are terminated. Endtone disconnect tones include "hang-up tones" and "drop tones."

Users hear endtone disconnect tones when individuals hang up (hang-up tones) and when connections are accidentally dropped (drop tones).

According to Zeeshan Zaid, Vice President, Digital Business Operations, RCA Music Group, "Endtone is a a promising opportunity for exposing and selling music... We’ve seen great results with ringtones and we hope to see great returns with Endtone.”

[via mpocket]

Vienna sets up booths for mozart listening

Fifty bright-red "Calling Mozart" booths went up around Vienna on Wednesday, two days before Austria celebrates the 250th anniversary of his birth, reports the AP.

"Users call a special number on their mobile phones and are connected to the site, where they can listen to Mozart's works or information about his life and times.

The site also offers audio and text tidbits on what Mozart did at a particular location."

Relatled: - In celebration of Mozart

Search&Display

Search&Display by Inoventiv (Canada) Corp integrates the power of the internet with the popularity of the mobile, allowing web users to search, listen and buy ring tunes within an online banner ad.

The entire transaction takes place within the banner ad, without leaving the page where the ad resides.

The UK Teenage Ringtone Market

Teenagers will spend an average of £4,320 ($7'700) on ringtones over the next fifteen years, according to new research from Xingtone.co.uk, reports .50Connect.

... "Girls are the ones most hooked by the craze, with 85 per cent of those surveyed saying that they download ringtones regularly. Surprisingly only 60 per cent of boys are taking advantage of the technology.

... "Of those surveyed by Xingtone, 60 per cent would prefer to create their own ringtone rather than download an ‘off-the-shelf’ one, highlighting a growing trend towards personalisation. "

RealNetworks looks for new music talent

Pocket-lint reports that Real Networks has launched a new service called RealCommunity, a free music community that lets unsigned groups and artists upload their own music, create profile pages and sell their music online.

"Original tracks and tunes uploaded by artists can be listened to and rated by visitors to the RealCommunity

Tracks will also be available to buy using SMS, with songs and ring-tones being sent directly to the purchaser's mobile device or computer.

In addition, selected artist profiles will be promoted on the RealGuide homepage giving featured artists an opportunity to be in the spotlight."

Ringtone guide to end soundalikes confusion

New rules to help people buying ringtones for their mobile phones distinguish between original songs and "soundalike" cover versions were unveiled yesterday in the UK, reports The Telegraph.

"The mobile phone industry says the guidelines will end confusion in the growing market for pop music downloads.

Under the initiative, companies will only be able to use the phrase "realtone" if they are selling a ringtone produced from an original recording "with the performer clearly identified in its marketing material".

The rules are being backed by the Mobile Entertainment Forum, the mobile phone company DX3 and major record labels."

Related:

-- Let's get this straight!

-- Ringtone Terminology

Cellphone industry goes gaga for radio

Reporting from the world’s music market, the MIDEM held in Cannes, the IHT writes about radio broadcasting over cell phones.

... "Radio now involves companies from the public broadcaster BBC to T-Mobile, the German cellphone operator, and Sony Network Services

New type of radio are popping up such as Radio DJ, is neither a mass media nor a broadcast. This "radio" lets the listener train a music service to personalize the song offerings, and the signal is available only over third-generation mobile phone networks.

... Established Internet radio providers are moving into the mobile phone. Whether any of these mobile versions of "radio" could ever take off the way portable AM or FM did is unknown, but they do give paying customers more music options."

Warner to launch the SMS tone

Mobile Entertainment reports that Warner Music has hinted it will launch a new kind of mobile music product: the SMS tone.

"The SMS tone will comprise music and video and playback on receipt of a text message. Consumers can already personalise their SMS alerts, of course, but this is thought to be the first time a music major has specifically designed a music product to do so.

The first example will roll out with a German operator soon".

[via Moco News/a>]

Ericsson and EMI Team Up to Offer Ringtones

Ericsson and EMI Music announced a mobile music agreement Sunday that will allow Ericsson to give European mobile operators an opportunity to distribute ringtones and tracks from EMI's European music catalog, reports All Headline News.

"Groups included in the EMI European music catalog include: Robbie Williams, Norah Jones, Coldplay, Raphael, Gorillaz and more. There will at least 12,000 ringtones available and close to 200,000 full length songs for downloading purposes through Ericsson".

Mobile Music Growth Curbed By Music Industry - Survey

Mobile telecommunication service operators feel record companies are demanding too high a slice of revenue from mobile music services, according to research released Sunday, reports Celluar News.

"The demands of the industry for revenue share from nascent mobile music services, such as ring-tones, are holding back the development of the sector, according to 83.7% of mobile operators questioned in research by Informa.

... Research from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, or IFPI, released last week, found mobile services accounted for 40% of the total digital music market. The overall digital music market leaped in value in 2005 to $1.1 billion, from $380 million in 2004.

In celebration of Mozart

SignOnSanDiego.com reminds us that next Friday is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

"Even those who have never attended a classical concert or purchased a Mozart recording have heard Mozart's works. They're everywhere – on cell phone ringtones, TV commercials, movie soundtracks and in shopping malls, where "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" may serenade shoppers."

"Mozart is one of the few great masters who has truly penetrated pop culture," says Syracuse University professor Robert Thompson.

... Monks in some French monasteries have found that cows who listen to Mozart produce more milk. An Italian winemaker insists that piped-in Mozart makes his grapes ripen more quickly.

Whether the claims are bogus or not, there are also many who believe that Mozart's music has distinct benefits to people. His works have been touted as a means of boosting intelligence, treating illness and disabilities, and enhancing creativity and mental health."

So in honor of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, here are a few places online where you can dowload his music onto your cell phone:

-- Ringophone Mozart page includes Mozart's Requiem - Confutatis, Rondo alla Turca, Turkish dance, The Magic Flute, The marriages of Figaro, Piccola serenata notturna.

-- RingTone JukeBox offers 3 Mozart ringtones: Mozart's Classic Symphony, Figaro and Rondo A la Turca.

-- Classic Cat has one of the largest selections of Mozart ringtones, from the Magic Flute to Symphony No 40.

-- Real Mozart tones can be found on Jamster, Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No 21, Marriage of Figaro, Sereneade No 13 and more...

Personalized celebrity ringback tones all the rage in Bollywood

Personalized celebrity ringback tones are the latest rage in India, according to Sify.com, who gives us a look at what's playing on the phones of the country's favorite celebs.

"Bipasha Basu gives new meaning to the term wacky. Call her up and you will be greeted by her own voice, frantically searching for her phone. And she asking everyone from her Mom to her dog Poshto where her phone is.

... Apart from dialogues, it is common practice for Bollywood celebrities to have the songs of their latest projects as their ring back tones. Last year, when Tanushree Dutta hit the scene, she had two releases lined up back to back.

New KDDI phone can store 2000 tunes

KDDI Corp. has launched "W41T," a mobile phone with a 4GB 0.85-inch hard disk drive, that can store up to about 2,000 tunes.

[via Tech-On]

Pherotones ring in the sexual attraction

Pherotones are ringtones with names like Testeroni or El Cuddlero that claim to make you irresistible to the opposite sex. [via Mocoblog]

Sound far fetched? No further a stretch than the breast enlarging ringtone, an all time favorite, or SK Telecom's tones that allegedly made users more attractive and meant to help young people find their soul mates. A service which gained all it's credibility by claiming to have finalized a trial test in a neurotherapy hospital in Uzbekistan.

Sales of music via Internet, phones topped $1 billion in '05

Worldwide sales of music via the Internet and mobile phones hit $1.1 billion last year, triple 2004 sales and accounting for 6 percent of global record company revenues, the industry said. [via the AP]

Japanese actress Yukie Nakama launches ringtone

Japanese actress Yukie Nakama has launched her first ringtone today, entitled "Koi-no-Download" ("Love Download").

"The song, which was written by Kiyoshi Matsuo and composed by Kyohei Tsutsumi, can be downloaded from au's Chakuuta site beginning on Jan. 31."

[via Mainichi Daily News]

50 hours of uninterrupted music for cell phones

NEC Electronics has developed an audio processor that allows music to be continuously played for up to 50 hours on a cell phone. [via NE Asia Online]

VibeTonz-enabled phone

The first VibeTonz-enabled phone from Samsung is due to hit the market very soon. VibeTonz is an embedded technology that enables a mobile handset to produce a huge range of 'vibro-tactile' sensations. Or in other words, you'll feel as well as hear.

VibeTonz is an embedded technology that enables a mobile handset to produce a huge range of 'vibro-tactile' sensations. Or in other words, you'll feel as well as hear. So, mobile gamers can experience the recoil of gunshots or the jolt of a punch, messaging could be personalised with vibration-based heartbeats and ringtones can give users the physical sensation of drum breaks and basslines.

[via TechDigest via Gizmodo]

Related, sort of:

-- Phone jolt

-- The touchy-feely side of telecoms

-- New Cell Phones Will Reach Out and Slap Someone

-- Cellphone to vibrate in tune

Stephen King promotes "Cell" with his own voice tone

To promote Stephen King's new novel entitled Cell and launching January 24, Scribner imprint has devised an elaborate Web- and cellphone-based marketing campaign which includes ringtones of King's voice . The WSJ reports.

"Scribner will give Mr. King's fans the opportunity to buy ring tones of his voice, saying:

"Beware, the next call you take may be your last" or "It's OK, it's a 'Normie' calling"

Selling ring tones is a popular avenue for making money in the music industry. It hasn't previously been tried in the book business because the idea of a novelist's voice droning from your mobile wouldn't seem to have much mainstream appeal. Mr. King, however, is one of the few writers with enough of a following to give him a shot at making it a viable enterprise."

Ringtone growth standstill blamed on Crazy Frog

According to UK's Sunday Times, the controversy over the mis-leading marketing of the Crazy Frog ringtone has badly damaged this formerly fast-growing segment of Britain’s mobile-phone market.

"The £250m ringtone business had doubled in size since 2004, but last year’s row about the Crazy Frog and similar promotions has brought growth to a standstill. Ringtone sales for the final quarter of last year are expected to show a decline of 10% or more.

The heavily advertised Crazy Frog, a famously irritating jingle sold by Jamba, was the most high-profile example of a ringtone subscription service. Many consumers thought they had made a one-off purchase, and became angry when they realised they were being billed again and again.

Andrew Bud, chairman of mBlox, said tougher requirements imposed on ringtone subscriptions in August and September had hit business badly and it had still to recover.

... Other ringtone firms report a similar impact. Martin Higginson, chief executive of Monstermob, which has diversified its business away from Britain, said the ringtone business had probably been severely damaged. “The number of people downloading ringtones has increased but the revenue that’s been generated has declined.”

Codes, text messages on cell phones drawing customers

In a lengthy article on the virtues of Marketers using codes to sell cell-phone content - -- ringtones, screen savers, wallpaper and text alerts -- the Knight Ridder Tribune News writes that that marketers can drive buyers directly to their content by publicizing a code in print ads or in other media and that some record labels are putting codes on CD cases to sell ringtones based on popular music.

For example, Jamster, a company that sells ringtones based on a variety of music genres, tends to market on cable-TV channels such as MTV and BET, where Cingular advertises less frequently. "Even when we offer the same content, (short codes give a marketer) the ability to reach new people," Nagel said.

Some marketers believe that short codes eventually will become as pervasive in advertising as Web site addresses are now, said Drew Hull, research director for NPD Group, a market research company in Port Washington, N.Y. "You hear people say that short codes will be tomorrow's URL," Hull said."

Screamtones anyone? It's Friday 13th

It's Friday 13. Screamtones/a> anyone?

50 Cent Tops 2005 US Ringtone Chart

The top selling ringtone in the US for 2005 was by a rap artist…It was Candy Shop by 50 Cent, which according to Nielson Mobile figures sold 1,891,000 units during 2005.

Number 2 and 3 were :

# 2. Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz - Lovers and Friends (1,339,000)
# 3. Game Theme - Super Mario Brothers (1,095,000)
Click here for full top 10 list

[via Moco News]

Xingtone Promotes Independents

Los Angeles-based Xingtone, a ringtone provider for cellular phones, announced yesterday that it is debuting a solution that allows independent artists to market, sell and deliver their own ringtones, reports socalTECH.com.

"The firm said that it is offering a turnkey e-commerce store for independent content owners to sell ringtones from their own websites. The new stores will allow anyone to create their own ringtones, upload them as MP3 or other files, set prices, and manage payments and delivery of the ringtones.

The new stores will allow anyone to create their own ringtones, upload them as MP3 or other files, set prices, and manage payments and delivery of the ringtones."