University students create MP3 ringtones for Bachelot of Arts

Australia's Bachelor of Arts (music industry studies) students have been creating MP3 ringtones as part of their course this year, titled "Ringtone sales and subscriptions now account for more than 10 percent of global music sales and it's a market that's growing dramatically each year", says RMIT music-industry lecturer Barry Hill.

[via The Sydney Morning Herald]

Another label sees big digital-music growth

On Tuesday, Warner reported that digital sales in the quarter ended September 30 grew 27 percent to $167 million, up from $131 million during the same period last year. News.com reports.

... Two weeks ago, Universal Music Group, the largest of the four top labels, said digital music sales were up 33 percent for the first nine months of 2008. According to parent company Vivendi, this "more than offset lower physical sales."

Ever since the onset of digital music and the creation of file-sharing sites, such as Napster, the major music companies have slowly been forced to shift from physical CD sales to digital downloads. It appears now that digital revenue is making up for some of the losses in disc sales.

Brits prefer to listen to music on mobile phones

Mobile phones are more popular than CD players when it comes to listening to music, says the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA). PC Advisor reports.

According to the ERA in the past two years, 44 million mobile phones that feature MP3 capability have been sold, compared to just 8 million CD players in the same period. The ERA also highlighted that between September 2007 and September 2008, 32.1 million MP3 devices were sold in the UK, 75 percent of which were mobile phones.

"Never in the history of the music business have we seen a format take off like this before. There is now no doubt that MP3 is the fastest-growing music format of all time, faster than vinyl, cassette or CD," said Russel Coultart, chairman of ERA Digital.

Verizon’s Song ID app downloaded 10 million times

Verizon Wireless announced that their song-identifying app, Song ID, has been downloaded for 10 million times.

Furthermore, since it was launched in May 2007, users have requested more than 100 million titles using Song ID.

[via intomobile]

Radiolicious Brings AM/FM Radio to iPhones

In the war between radio and Internet-based technologies, Radiolicious, a software application developed by MySimBook.com, is trying to build a business model by striking back on broadcasters' behalf.

Radiolicious is a free downloadable player for iPhone users. Once on their wireless handsets, Radiolicious allows them to stream audio and Web content from any AM/FM station that is signed up to the service, at no cost to the iPhone user.

[via Cellular News]

Sprint Launches "Rock The Phone" Ringtones

Rhino partners with Sprint to launch RockThePhone.com which offers over 100 ringtones from some of classic rock's greatest bands, including The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, ZZ Top, Ramones, and more.

Wireless consumers nationwide can visit www.rockthephone.com for access to over 100 classic rock ringtones for $2.99 each. For a limited time, the website will offer a free ringtone of The Doors' "Love Me Two Times," and Sprint customers will have exclusive access to eight ringtones until December 11.

[via e-mail press release]

Pupils set for 'ringtone lessons'

According to the BBC, children in England and Wales are to be given lessons in how to avoid scams and hidden charges when downloading mobile phone ringtones.

Industry watchdog Phonepay Plus is urging 4,300 secondary schools to join a scheme to raise awareness among pupils of the potential pitfalls.

It has created a lesson on ringtones for the information and communication technology curriculum.

Phonepay Plus received more than 8,000 mobile-related complaints in 2007/8.

That is an increase of 108% on the previous year. In the first three months of 2008 alone, the watchdog received more than 4,500 complaints.

Beyonce To Take Over VCAST

In support of the Nov. 18 street date for her new release "I Am... Sasha Fierce," Beyonce is making several tracks from the album available exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers.Billboard reports.

Starting Nov. 14, Verizon users will have access to seven songs from the mobile operator's VCAST over-the-air music service. And several ringtones based on songs from the new album are available today.

Beyonce will also "take over" the VCAST Music site from Nov. 14 - 18 by posting her favorite albums, songs, playlists and more on the main music storefront page. This is the first time that an artist has taken over Verizon's VCAST page is such a way.

Nokia Comes With (Illegal) Music In Vietnam?

Copyright watchdog Recording Association of Vietnam (RIAV) has reportedly filed a $3 million lawsuit against FPT Telecom and Nokia Vietnam for violating intellectual property rights. RIAV, which represents 60 music production companies throughout Vietnam, is suing both companies over allegations of copyright infringement of recorded music.

Full article in TechCrunch.

Ringtones to boost tourism

Travel information, ideal holiday spots, tour packages, ringtones based on traditional music… All this and more will be on cellphone soon, courtesy the tourism department that’s now serious about promoting India's tourist potential via mobiles. India's Telegraph reports.

Potential tourists will be prompted to press a number for specific information on say, a particular region, its tourist destinations, local culture, transportation, accommodation and local cuisine. The system will be available across cellular networks.

Singh seemed particularly excited about the ringtones. “Promotional ringtones highlighting tribal art and culture will be available for anyone who wants it,” said said Arun Kumar Singh, the secretary of tourism and planning. The idea, he said, was to promote the beauty, cultural and historical heritage and ethnicity of the state of Jharkhand.

Speaker rejects mobile ring fines

According to the BBC, Commons Speaker Michael Martin has refused an MP's plea to fine colleagues if mobile phones ring in the chamber.

Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland proposed adopting a local council scheme where all fines go to charity.

Whilst accepting that we're all fallible in terms of the potential to leave our mobile phones on, may I recommend to the House a scheme in Leeds City Council whereby the Lord Mayor of Leeds fines a member of council who has his or her phone ring?

He added: And may I suggest that the Speaker considers a suitable charity and introduces a similar scheme in this House?

To laughter in the Commons chamber, the Speaker responded: "I've no powers to fine honourable gentlemen or ladies for that matter".

Ringtones.com Goes Global

Mobile content vendor, Mobile Streams has announced that its direct-to-consumer portal, Ringtones.com, is now available to customers around the world following recent launches in Germany, Australia and Argentina.

First launched in the UK in 1999, Ringtones.com offers thousands of pieces of content from a myriad of content suppliers including leading international media companies such as Home Box Office (HBO), Sony BMG, PA Photos and Turner Broadcasting.

[via Cellular News]

Mondadori claims to sell ringtones for Apple iPhone

Mondadori Ship (a new online music store by Mondadori, the biggest Italian publisher) is selling ringtones for Apple's iPhone. MacDaily News reports.

In September of 2007, Apple launched iPhone ringtones for the U.S. iTunes Store. No other country has since then been added to the list of those who can extract 30 seconds of music for iPhone use, despite the iPhone now being sold in all 22 nations with a national iTunes Store, Zambelli reports.

Why are we paying phone companies billions for ringtones?

Ringtones, a market that didn't exist 10 years ago, have become a revenue stream for cellphone providers that they cling onto with unparalleled ferocity. DVICE on why ringtones have become big business, and how you can beat the system.

Interesting and related to copyright protections, "The reason why we all have to pay so much for ringtones has to do, as always, with copyrights and royalties. When you download a song, you pay 9 cents in royalties. However, a recent ruling bumped the royalty for ringtones up to 24 cents per song."

Sony Ericsson's PlayNow Plus music service goes live

Sony Ericsson has officially launched its PlayNow Plus music service.

Currently, the unlimited music download service is only being offered through Sweden's own Telenor, but more carriers (and compatible handsets) should be added on in due time.

[via engadget:mobile]

Vote for Obama ringtone

Vote for Obama ringtone on Myxer.

Traffic police uses ringtones to raise awareness about rules

Ringtones like 'Follow traffic rules' or 'Use helmet and seatbelt' will greet you when you dial any mobile number in Kanpur, India. Zee News reports.

In a novel move, the city traffic policeplans to educate commuters in a big way by introducing a ring tone on traffic regulations during the 'Traffic Awareness' month being celebrated this month.

"Arrangements have been made with service providers such as Vodafone, BSNL and Reliance to make the drive a success," Kanpur Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Ramlal Verma told a news agency today.

Full article.