Secret alarm becomes dance track

Wales-based Compound Security released the "Mosquitotone" ringtone as a way of letting teenagers hear their phones ringing without adults knowing.

It was developed because adults lose the ability to hear high-pitched sound. But now the sound is being used in a dance track, Buzzin', with secret melodies only young ears can hear.

The tune was developed after the success of the company's ringtone which was released in June.

Simon Morris from Compound Security said: "Following the success of the ringtone, a lot of people were asking us to do a bit more, so we got together with the producers Melodi and they came up with a full-length track.

"It has two harmonies - one that everyone can hear and one that only young people can hear. "But it works well together or separate," he added.

"Although it (the dance track) isn't our main business, the demand for it is definitely there," said Mr Morris.

Related articles:

Music that you can’t hear!?

-- A Ring Tone Meant to Fall on Deaf Ears

-- Mosquitotone - Teen Buzz/Teenager Repellent ringtone available

-- Teenager repellent "Mosquito" turned into ringtone

-- Teen Buzz Ringtone to be made available by "Mosquito" manufacturer

-- A Teenager Repellent

Related side stories:

-- Manilow music as another teenage repellent scheme

-- Web Hosting company registers mosquitone.net and exploits teen buzz ringtone

YouMail: The new voicemail for cell phones

YouMail is the new voicemail for cell phones. Among many features, it allows you to record unique voice greetings for anyone who calls you, based on their caller ID. Individualize your voice greetings for friends, family or important callers while maintaining a standard greeting for work and unknown callers.

And have fun with the ditchmail feature that hangs up on unwanted callers after your custom greeting for them is played.

[via YPulse]

Apple and mobile firms agree on music royalties

Apple's iTunes and mobile operators including Vodafone on Thursday agreed on royalty rates to pay song writers and music publishers for digital downloads in Britain to partly resolve a dispute. Reuters reports.

Under terms of the deal, Apple Computer Inc. and four mobile operators will pay 8 percent of gross revenue, excluding VAT, for all music sold digitally excluding ringtones. A lower 6.5 percent rate was agreed for non-on-demand services such as streaming.

The deal was announced in a joint statement by the trade group representing record labels, BPI, and MCPS-PRS Alliance, which fixes and collects royalties on behalf of the composers, song writers and music publishers.

Mobile operators O2, France Telecom's Orange and Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile are also part of the agreement.

Under a previous deal, the law stated that the song writers and publishers must receive 12 percent but for the last four years this had been temporarily reduced to eight percent. Thursday's ruling made that reduction permanent."

McDonald's Franchisees Try Out In-Store Music

Customers of the McDonald's franchised by John and Karen O'Keefe can use their mobile phones to search, select and activate music and video shorts, including music videos and movie previews, using text messages, mobile internet or WiFi sites. Adage reports via Unwired.cc

"Video or tabletop information explain how to use the system, which is free to customers but text-message rates apply.

The store's m-Venue system, developed by Chicago-based Akoo International, also allows customers to download ringtones, wallpaper, trivia games, video games, sports videos and consumer polls. The content is licensed by companies including Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group.

McDonald's is the first customer to activate the m-Venue system, a company spokesman said.

... The O'Keefe's new system went live Sept. 1 and since then have they seen their 14-day same-store sales comparisons jump 17%."

Nokia launches international community: the Music Recommenders

Forty leading independent music stores from around the world are working with Nokia to create unique and customizable music recommendations, reports Slashphone.

"Internationally influential independent record stores including Fat Beats (New York), Reckless (Chicago), Pure Groove (London), Hard Wax (Berlin) and Mona Records (Tokyo) will offer a personalised selection of new music across 12 genres - from Pop to Rock to Classical, Jazz and Electronic.

Every month, experts from each of the stores will bring together music from their specialist genre.

Users can freely browse the music, search for music according to recommender, genre or style, listen to music clips and read weekly updates, artist interviews and city music guides. Once registered, subscribers can receive an instant playlist of 30 second samples."

BLUETUNA

Competence Center for Coputational Culture writes about a mobile phone application called BLUETUNA based on bluetooth which helps locate and meet people with similar taste in music.

"The most promising locations will be scouted out for installing BLUETUNA HOTSPOTs in the future. These hotspots will act as open server for music and meeting people in urban and rural places."

Nokia launches 8GB music phone, signs David Bowie up for mobile music community

Nokia has come out with a barrage of announcements today that will have music fans dribbling with delight, according to Pocket Picks.

"They include music-themed editions of existing phones the N70 and N73. The main new features appear to be dedicated music keys, revamped software making it easier to get your songs onto them, and they’re a suitably Satanic black colour. They’re expected to go on sale in October.

But the big news is an all-new version of the N91 - Nokia’s flagship music phone, with a 4GB hard drive inside capable of storing up to 3,000 songs - , a couple of brand new N-Series handsets, and an exciting-sounding global music community starring David Bowie himself.

And Nokia is also releasing an 8GB model, the logically-named N91 8GB."

Jimi Hendrix Comes to Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless and Universal Music Group are now offering Verizon Wireless customers more than 60 tunes from Jimi Hendrix, reports Digital Trends.

"Verizon Wireless customers can also download full-track songs through Verizon's V CAST music service.

By sending the TXT Message “JIMI” to 7575. Once received, customers will get a reply message that will ask them to choose from ring tones, Ringback Tones or V CAST Music."

New Nokia Accessories for Music

Nokia today announced a selection of enhancements to heighten your mobile and music experience. [via Slashphone]

Nokia aims to sell 80 million music enabled devices in 2006, making Nokia the world's largest manufacturer of digital music players.

As the mobile device is increasingly becoming the main music device for people, we're introducing a wide range of enhancements to provide the best possible music experience with Nokia Nseries multimedia computers and other Nokia devices. Enjoy your music player tunes with the Nokia Advanced Music Headphones HS-62 or the Hi-fi quality Nokia Stereo Headset HS-81. Your music will travel with you on the latest portable speakers, Nokia Music Speakers MD-3 and Nokia Music Speakers MD-4.

Music that you can’t hear!?

Following the teenager repellent ringtone, or Mosquitone - the one with a frequency too high for most adults to hear - the company who made it official is now launching a world first tomorrow ; a song that has secret parts that only kids are meant to hear. It can be dowloaded from mozzytones.co.uk

The song has been produced by UK based company Melodi in co-operation with compound security Systems, the inventors of the much acclaimed alarm system and Mozzytones ringtone. It is being sold for PC and mobile download in conjunction with international telecommunications company Opera Telecom.

Related Mosquitone stories and links

Mercora to Debut Mobile Music Service

Mercora Inc, which distributes software for webcasting music, is making a bid for the bourgeoning mobile music market with a new application that enables users of select wireless devices to listen to tracks stored on PCs or other users' computers. ABCNews reports.

"The Santa Clara-based firm was to debut the service, dubbed mercora M, on Monday.

The Mercora service works by streaming songs from a user's music library on their computer to select mobile phones or handheld PCs.

It also allows users to stream tracks broadcast on thousands of Internet radio channels, and eventually, songs from up to five other Mercora users, the company said. (Only mobile devices running the Windows Mobile 5.0 software will work with the service.)"

Concertino for cell phones and orchestra

U.S. jazz composer David Baker is encouraging people to use their mobile phones during the debut performance of " Concertino for Cellular Phones and Orchestra" that will open the 20th anniversary season of the Chicago Sinfonietta classical music festival next month. [via Reuters].

"During the 15-minute composition, members of the audience and the orchestra will be asked to use their cell phones at various points throughout the piece with red and green lights telling them when to turn their phones on and off.

Baker, who has more than 2,000 jazz, symphonic and chamber compositions to his credit, said people will also be encouraged to randomly increase and decrease the volume of their ring tones and try to recognize familiar tune fragments on the ring tones sounding on orchestra members' cell phones."

Dialtones Symphony was the first very ringtone concert. It was conducted by Golan Levin and performed in September 2001 at the Brucknerhaus Auditorium in Linz, Austria. The 28-minute concert was produced through the ringing of 200 visitors' phones.

Related:

-- Links in Ringtonia to ringtone concerts and symphonies

-- An Informal Catalogue of Mobile Phone Performances, Installations and Artworks - through 2002

Daytime TV Host Rachael Ray to launch voicetones messages from Rachel

A first, to the best of my knowledge. Voicetones and ringtones featuring messages from a day time TV show host. [press release]

Emmy-winning television personality and author Rachel Ray, has linked up with Epic Records to introduce fans to one of her great passions - music.

Together Rachael and Epic Records will release hip, every day soundtracks with songs hand picked by Rachael.

Additionally, Rachael and Epic have inked an exclusive digital deal for which Rachael created unique cellular voicetones. Epic will distribute the voicetones -ringtones featuring messages from Rachael to all major US carriers.

This week, Rachael launches her one-hour daily syndicated series, "Rachael Ray". She currently has four popular shows on the Food Network, has written 12 bestselling cookbooks -the past three debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Last year, she launched a new lifestyle magazine called Every Day with Rachael Ray. Rachael Ray's brand empire also includes cookware, appliances and knives. She was just selected as one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World and appears on this year's Celebrity 100 list of Forbes magazine.

UrbanWorld Wireless Places Ringtones Call

Urban World Wireless is looking to make it easier for mobile users to purchase mobile content from their handsets, according to Wireless Week.

"The company has signed on to use CommerceTel's CallForContent (C4C) service that enables users to acquire mobile content by dialing a standard 10-digit phone number.

UrbanWorld Wireless will use the service to distribute ringtones and other mobile products from its roster of artists, comedians, athletes, actors and other celebrities. Once customers call in for content, the C4C system is designed to enable mobile users to select and purchase mobile content through touchtone or voice input."

Rapper tells music bosses to wake up to mobile threat

Chuck D, the fiery frontman of the hip hop pioneers Public Enemy, has called on the global music industry to reappraise its gold-rush mentality towards mobile content, reports The Belfast Telegraph.

"... The rapper, an early disciple of distributing music over the internet, said the mobile phone was akin to "a human remote control", making it a powerful tool for distributing music globally.

Yet he called on major record labels to rethink mobile content strategies. "The problem with corporations is that they come into any business with a gold-rush mentality of making a killing. They're going big, big, big, big on something so little - that doesn't make sense," he said.

Sony Ericsson Announces M-BUZZ

Sony Ericsson, in a bid to expand on its mobile music strategy, has unveiled M-BUZZ, a promo space for new and upcoming artists, reports Mobile Whack.

"M-BUZZ aims to complement Sony Ericsson's music offering for the Walkman series of cell phones. It goes live Oct 2.

Consumers can access full tracks of featured artists, videos, biographies, gig schedules and more. Initially, M-BUZZ plans to introduce a limited number of artists and bands each month, thanks to the new partnership with Sony/ATV Music Publishing."

Skateboarder ringtones: Tony Hawk's Mobile Dissent

Skateboarder Tony Hawk, along with teammates, captured the audience's attention as he flew through air over a ramp at the back of the Los Angeles Convention Center's exhibit hall to promote his Tony Hawk's Mobile Dissent mobile phone product line, which includes ringtones and pictures. The Mercury News reports.

"The line was one of the mobile industry's many efforts aimed at younger users on display here at the CTIA-The Wireless Association conference.

From E! Networks launching a gossip site designed for mobile screens to Mindmatics selling "Snakes on a Plane'' video games for Boost Mobile, the mobile industry is increasingly focused on winning over teens and preteens.

... While executives say ringtones are still the most popular purchases, videos, games and music are quickly gaining in popularity. The competition is heating up to hook kids early and keep them as loyal consumers while they grow, executives said."

Gangsta Ringtones and street-authentic digital content

Atlanta-based ringtone company, Hi-Fli Tones, has launched its new, state-of-the-art website (www.hi-flitones.com) and begins a campaign to take on the $700M ringtone download industry. Artists being featured include Young Jeezy, Shawty-Lo, BHI, Slick Pulla and Yola the Great.

But, it’s not so much what they’re doing but how they are doing it. Hi-Fli Tones has opted to fill its content catalog with A-Town favorites like Shawty-Lo, BHI, and Yola the Great, instead of the more mainstream music found on the Billboard Charts.

Why? President and Managing Partner of Hi-Fli Tones, Tim Maxman, explains "In many explosive urban markets like Atlanta, Miami, and Houston, the evening radio countdown doesn’t play the Billboard Top 40.

Instead, it’s full of local celebrities who make music specific to that region. That regional music is essentially overlooked by more popular sites like Jamster so we decided to fill the void. In the process, we give consumers an alternative and we create a revenue stream for local artists."

... Hi-Fli Tones is all about delivering street-authentic digital content to the masses. Founded by Bernardo Hicks and Tim Maxman, the company's aim is to offer an array of exclusive gangsta ringtones, songs, wallpaper, videos and more from a roster of current and rising stars from today’s underground urban movement. Press Release

MTV, Universal teaming up for mobile videos

Elton John is coming to a cell phone near you, thanks to a new deal from MTV, reports the New York Daily News.

"The network said it will create videos for mobile phones with Universal Music Group artists to find new outlets for music, videos and ringtones.

MTV said it would distribute the music and videos of Universal artists through relationships with more than 70 mobile carriers in the U.S. and abroad. "

Now buy ringtones from gorcery stores

Mobile ringtones are now on the grocery list with Big Bazaar retailing India's first all-mobile, all-operator ringtone cards, reports IBN-Live.

"One 97 Communications, a mobile value added services provider has launched this new ringtone card.

"Sale of ringtone cards is booming. We are selling 300 cards per day and are planning to introduce them into all 53 stores across the country over the next few weeks," President Communication Division, Pantaloon, Neeran Chhiber said."

Pet ringtones

According to this Press release, it would appear Purina dog food has gone a little overboard.

Purina has answered the call of pet lovers nationwide and expanded their mobile phone download options to include 15 pet ringtones.

Pet-related content over here.

"The Teen Phone" allows you to composer your own ringtone

A new phone caught my eye on New.com, reporting from the CTIA show in LA; The Teen Phone from LG.

"The new low cost phone, which came out last week, is being sold by Verizon Wireless and comes with a cool feature that allows you to compose your own ringtone.

Paris Ringtone dramatizes Hilton's recent arrest

Oasys Mobile is offering a free "Paris Ringtone," which dramatizes Hilton's recent arrest.

"Users will be alerted of an incoming phone call when they hear, "Handcuffs are Hot!" Paris is the second in a series of Scandal Tones carried exclusively on OasysMobile.com.

The first was the now infamous Mel in Malibu ringtone which featured an Australian accented voice yelling, "I own Malibu!".

[Press Release]

Mobistar launches interactive bluetooth campaign with Aguilera ringtones

Mobistar, one of Belgium's three mobile telecommunications operators, in cooperation with Sony Ericsson, is launching a new interactive Bluetooth campaign. [via Slashphone]

"All Bluetooth users can benefit from a unique one-week offer allowing them to receive free of charge a Christina Aguilera ringtone if they are within 30 metres of an Abribus.

... The Abribus–equipped with a Bluetooth data server–can detect a Bluetooth-activated handset within a range of 30 metres. The consumer then receives a message asking whether he would like to receive a ringtone. If he accepts, the consumer receives from Mobistar, free of charge, the Christina Aguilera True Tone. All one needs is a True Tone compatible mobile phone with Bluetooth technology."

Personalized Audio and Video Ringbacks

From a CTIA preview on News.com.

"Openwave, a mobile mini-browser developer, offered a glimpse of its new Audio and Video Ringback Solution.Instead of just playing a song as a ring back, friends sporting a video-enabled phone can also be treated to a short clip of a music video when they get your call.

Openwave plans to formerly launch the new video ringback on Tuesday when the CTIA's fall show officially opens. The company's reps say it's in trials with at least one U.S. mobile operator, but so far are keeping mum on who exactly is testing it. They also wouldn't say which handsets will come ready with the new video ringback capability."

Live Radio Comes to Cingular Cell Phones

Radio giant, Clear Channel Communications, has unveiled an America-wide mobile strategy to extend its local radio brands into the world of mobile phones, reports Teleclick.ca.

"Cingular Wireless customers will now be able to listen to live radio on their handsets, as well as download feature content, send SMS song requests, and access constantly updated traffic information".

Coolringer

Coolringer is freeware lets you create ringtones for your mobile phone or Skype. [via The Red Ferret]

In their own words:

Coolringer is a smart engine that clips the “coolest” part of any song on your computer, creating a ringtone file that you can use on your mobile phone or in Skype. Simply right-click ANY mp3 and select ‘Make a mobile ringtone’ or ‘Make a Skype ringtone’ and Coolringer takes care of the rest, giving you a sweet ringtone with the best part of any song.

Women and Rap Rule Ringtone Market

Market research firm NPD Group finds that rap and hip-hop dominate mobile phone ringtone sales, and that, in July anyway, women and girls downloaded the most. [via Digital Trends]

"What exactly appeals to consumers as ringtones? According to market research firm The NPD Group rap and hip-hop ringtones account for 23 percent of ringtone downloads among more than 75,000 survy respondents. Next up: rock (17 percent), R&B (11 percent) and pop (11 percent), and alternative (8 percent).

... When asked for their reasons for buying a particular ringtone, music preferences rule: 89 percent of ringtone buyers said they downloaded a ringtone because they liked a particular song, and 62 percent cited they liked the artist. Only 24 percent said price was a factor in their purchase, and only 7 percent said they bought a ringtone because of a recommendation from a friend or family member".

News Corp.Pushes Into Ringtone Sales With Jamba Stake

News Corp. is set to announce today the $187.5 million purchase of 51% of VeriSign Inc.'s ringtone-sales unit, Jamba, in a push to expand its mobile-content sales, reports the WSJ.

News Corp. will merge Jamba with its Mobizzo unit, which sells short video clips called "mobisodes" from Fox TV shows such as "24," as well as other mobile content.

... The combined company will sell content from a variety of sources. Among its first offerings will be ringtones, wallpaper and short clips from the popular Fox animated series "The Simpsons," available for a yet-to-be determined monthly subscription fee next year. In addition, Jamba will sell content through News Corp.'s popular Web site MySpace.com.

EMI, T-Mobile Launch Ad-Funded Mobile Music Trial

EMI Group says it is working with Deutsche Telekom unit T-Mobile, and Rhythm NewMedia on an advertising-supported mobile music video service, reports Cellular News.

"UK mobile-phone users willl be able watch entertainment, news and music clips from their mobiles.

EMI said in a statement Monday that advertisements would be "specifically targeted" for the artist being selected by the consumer. EMI's largest artists include Coldplay, Gorillaz and Robbie Williams.

Advertising-supported mobile content is one of a range of business models being trialed as a way of paying for online content. "