Usher Becomes Sony Ericsson Spokesman

Billboard announced yesterday Usher has inked a deal with Sony Ericsson to became the spokesman for the company’s new Walkman music phone to be released later this year. Blend Music reports.

"AT&T customers will have “access to exclusive content, contests to meet Usher on a video shoot and the chance to win VIP tickets for the artist's North American tour later this year.” "

Ringtones.org sells for $ 120,000

Earlier this month Moniker announced details of the auction, which took bids in person and remotely through the SnapNames Live online auction platform,

Overall, 105 domains were sold as the auction brought in an average sale price over $24,000 during the four hour event.

RingTones.org sold for $120000.

[via WHIR]

Mobile music video service Napster Clips debuts in Japan

Napster has just launched its first mobile music video service, Napster Clips in Japan.

This new service puts a premium on unlimited access to a high-quality digital video service that would complement Napster’s music subscription service. In partnership with Japan’s NTT Docomo, Napster is offering this service via the mobile operator’s new N960IL onefone mobile handset.

[via Gadgetell]

Chinese Ringtone Seller A8.com Files For IPO

A8.com, which mainly sells ringtones and other digital music to mobile phone subscribers in China, has filed for an initial public offering on the Hong Kong exchange to raise about $28 million (217 million Hong Kong dollars), reports China Web 2.0 Review via The Washington Post.

UK Woolworths launches digital download site

The Woolworths group will axe the CD single from its shelves as of August as demand for the format has plummeted in recent years amid the soaring popularity of digital downloading.

It is instead to focus on offering customers music tracks to download, with a revamped site launched today at www.woolworthsdownload.co.uk, covering music, games, video and mobile content.

[via The Press Association]

Apple Investigating Ringback Tones for iPhone?

According to ZDNet's Rumor Mill, Apple is is currently in negotiations with music labels about adding more mobile music options on their iTunes store and is also investigating selling ringback tones which customize the sound your caller hears when the phone is ringing when they call you.

Napster rolls out MP3 store in challenge to iTunes

Napster on Tuesday opened the world's biggest MP3 download store with more than 6 million songs in a direct challenge to Apple Inc's iTunes store, reports Reuters.

"The new Web-based music store will have digital songs from all major music labels as well as thousands of independent labels.

The MP3-format songs will be compatible with the vast majority of digital media devices and mobile phones including Apple's popular iPod as well as its iPhone."

Nokia launches new digital music store in Sweden

Nokia announced today that the Nokia Music Store in Sweden has gone live.

With millions of tracks from major artists, independent labels, and up-and-coming Swedish acts, the Nokia Music Store let's people enjoy music directly on their Nokia device or personal computer.

[via Just ANother Mobile Phone Blog]

MySpace Launches New Music Service

Half Life Source reports that My Space has joined forces with Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group to form MySpace Music.

MySpace Music is another rising star set to compete with iTunes, the top music download service on the Internet.

MySpace Music will offer free music audio and video streaming and supported by advertising. It will further offer MP3 downloads, ringtones, artist ticket sales and artist merchandise for sale<.

Apple Wants More Mobile Music From Labels

As part of Apple’s efforts to improve on the shortcomings of its popular iPhone, the company has approached some of the major music labels to try to expand the variety of ringtones and other musical features available on the device, several label executives said last week. Bits Blog reports.

“They want a big launch in June,” said one label executive familiar with the discussions. That executive said that a deal may come after June 9, when Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs speaks to the company’s developers conference, a logical date for the introduction of the next generation of iPhone.

An Apple spokesman declined to comment on the company’s plans."

iTune or Custom iPhone Ringtones, Your Choice

It's not a bad deal to be able to go to iTunes and download ringtones for your iPhone without the hassle for about $2, $1 for the song and another $1 to convert it to a ringtone. But of course the moment that cost becomes involved, hackers set out to find out a way around the cost.

The last few days, Apple has been involved in an attempt to block iPhone users from installing free ringtones on their handsets, only to find the hackers come up with workarounds just hours after the patches release.

[via gameSHOUT]

AT&T Unveils the Ringtones Found on Celebrity Phones

AT&T Inc. announced today the launch of the 'Ringtone A-List, a hot new Web site that unveils the sounds found on the wireless phones of today's top stars.

"We are excited to be able to bring fans the opportunity to find out, listen to and even purchase the ringtones found on the wireless phones of today's hottest actors, musicians and athletes," said Rob Hyatt, executive director of Premium Content for AT&T's wireless operations.

Each month, the Ringtone A-List will feature a selection of stars from TV, film, music and sports. Fans will have the opportunity to learn which tones each celebrity has downloaded to his or her wireless phone, preview an audio clip and, if they wish, purchase(1) the tone directly from the Web site.

[via Press release]

Usher sings Sony Ericsson’s song

R&B star signed up to promote Walkman phones; SE to sponsor singer’s European tour. mobile-ent.biz reports.

"Usher will appear in the company’s marketing from next month, and will specifically be used to promote its upcoming W350 and W980 models.

Sony Ericsson has also secured headline sponsorship rights for the singer’s European tour, whilst customers will also have access to exclusive Usher content."

Scarlett Johansson's Debut Album Released Online for Free

Technically, Scarlett Johanson's album of Tom Waits covers doesn't come out for another week, but you can hear it for free, in its entirety, on Imeem starting today and order ringtones.

[via Switched]

Metallica will let their fans in on their recording process

Metallica will let their fans in on their recording process with Mission : Metallica

Fans who sign up for Mission Metallica Platimun will get more goodies, including ringtones.

[via idolator]

Music biz hopes device upgrades boost mobile sector

While only 6.7 percent of overall mobile customers use their phone to listen to music, rising to 27.9 percent for smart-phone users, a full 74.1 percent of iPhone owners reported using the device as an MP3 player, according to M:Metrics.

The majority of this music, however, is transferred from the computer, rather than purchased through the phone and downloaded wirelessly. That may change this summer once Apple unveils what many expect will be a new version of the iconic device, featuring access to high-speed third-generation (3G) wireless networks.

Read full article from Reuters.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

-- Egypt's Mufti bans Qur'anic ringtones

GTA 4 ringtone

Zedge offers a downloadable GTA Ringtone for your cell phone.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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. "