Downloadable Ringtones – The Latest Trend

What can be said about the ringtones? NOTHING… except cell phones capable of downloading ringtones are the newest “must have” item today! One of the fastest growing features these days is ringtones, especially downloadable ones! Other downloadable items are also available on the Internet, such as Java Games. Various wallpapers and screen savers are also all the rage, but by far the most requested feature is downloadable ringtones.

The mobile phone and its different ring tones have become status symbols. Ringtones show that you are up to date and what is happening. You can even take a test that defines which ringtone best suits your personality. You can really show your lifestyle and certainly your music taste on your sleeve.

This article will briefly describe what ringtones are, what is currently available, and what the future holds. It will also suggest a warning to consider before downloading the multitude of formats available on the market. Prices are low and the sky is the limit, so read on.

* What are downloadable ringtones?

* A warning before you buy!

* What is available?

* A brief glimpse into ancient history.

* Ringtones – Where do we go from here?

* Other products available on Ringtone websites

* What can you say about ringtones?

What are downloadable ringtones?

Ringtones are the sound that a normal or cell phone makes when it rings. Early ringtones were single chimes, and on later models, a combination of chimes. There were a limited number of ringtones available and they mostly consisted of different patterns of tones or chirps. An example of one of the most infamous ringtones was the ominous “ring ring… ring ring” reminiscent of Todd Beamer’s last phone call on 9/11. You can hear that ringtone appearing as an introduction to the famous Neil Young song “Let’s Roll”.

Ringtone technology developed rapidly and has come a long way since that song was recorded. Originally, he bought a cell phone and had the option of monophonic ringtones that produced a one note song. The number of songs was extremely limited and the downloadable ringtones were just a cool engineering student idea.

Thanks to lightning-fast technology and numerous service providers, one of the latest and greatest features available today is downloadable ringtones. When you browse the Internet, you will find many sites offering ringtones from today’s most popular musicians; you can choose monophonic, polyphonic, or true-tone formats. More on that later.

A warning before buying!

The first thing you need to know before selecting, purchasing, and downloading a suitable ringtone is whether your cell phone is up-to-date enough to use this feature. Like everything else in technology, cell phones have evolved very quickly. As a result, the cell phone you purchased just a year ago may not have the ability to fully access the type of ringtone currently available. So be sure to check it out. Reread your manual or call your service provider to find out. You may be able to upgrade your phone for a reasonably low fee.

What is available?

Ringtones are divided into three formats.

1. Monophonic

2.Polyphonic

3. True tone or real tone

To understand this type of technology, a person must have knowledge of physics/mathematics and understand musical composition. Fortunately, all you need to know is what types of ringtones are available and what they sound like. The following is a description of three types of ringtones, monophonic, polyphonic, and true tone. Most websites offer samples of each and once you hear an example, you’ll know which type you’ll want to use on your cell phone.

1) monophonic ringtones

Some of the earliest cell phones came equipped with the ability to have a one-tone ringer. “Monophonic” is the simplest ringtone technology using a midi format. This “one note wonder” changed ringtones. Gone are the squeaks and chimes; now you could play a song. A monophonic ringtone is individual notes that play a song. You can recognize your favorite song but it sounds a bit lame. Most monophonic shades are offered for free due to more full-bodied shades being available now, but if you’re trying to make a statement, read on.

2) polyphonic ringtones

Polyphonic ringtones also use midi technology but the tonal quality is richer and has more depth. This is because polyphonic ringtones can play up to 40 notes or more. A quick example is the sound that occurs when Windows XP® starts up. Reproduces the sound of an orchestra playing one note instead of an instrument playing the same note.

Polyphonic with its richer tonal quality sounds better than monophonic but when compared to MP3 quality it sounds rather weak. The Midi format may be adequate for basic ringtones and great for greeting cards, but if it’s real sound for your cell phone you want, read on.

3) Truetone and Mp3

The future of sound for ringtones seems to be hi-fi quality. True tone ringtones that can be downloaded to your cell phone are equivalent to MP3 player quality and sound a bit like an iPod.

True Tone technology will allow the user to hear recorded voices like Austin Powers announcing “Your phone is ringing baby yeah.” This recording is so convincing that people will be looking for Mike Myers. You can also download songs like Outkast’s “Hey Ya” and the Starsky and Hutch theme song. With a built-in microphone, you can record your own voice or someone else’s. True tone ringtones will even imitate a real old phone ring. How about that for retro?

A brief glimpse into ancient history

In the near remote past, cell phones came with a ringer and no features. Wallpaper was something that decorated your home and SMS was unheard of. Mobile phones were big and cumbersome and used only by the elite, or as marketing gurus used to say, “early adopters.” Very few people owned cell phones due to the size and cost.

Digital technology changed everything. Suddenly a lot of people were buying and using cell phones. This was confusing because every time a phone rang, everyone in the room would start rummaging through their bags and pockets to answer it. A unique sound was the answer and that’s how ringtones of each description came to be.

Ringtones – Where do we go from here?

Some technical websites claim that tomorrow’s cell phone will replace today’s MP3 player. This will be possible once a dual-use battery is invented that can hold a charge long enough. The power would last for more than a few hours and it would be easily recharged. The “technicians” state that the memory capacities need to be improved so that the user can download and store hundreds of thousands of songs. This is not that far off, in fact, it is considered possible for an MP3 player to be replaced by a cell phone within 5 years, according to most technical websites.

Other products available on ringtone websites

Sound mixers and recordable devices

A 2002 Motorola cell phone came with an audio mixer that could take advantage of hundreds of musical instruments in a midi format. This cell phone has evolved a lot and allows you to program special effects. Effects include echo and reverb, to name just a few. You can program your own ringtone, download it to your phone, and then enhance it with the hi-fi effects above.

Wallpaper and logos

Many cell phones are used to connect to the Internet and also do double duty as palm pilots. This has needed a bigger screen and with that you need a special wallpaper. You can choose from a multitude of assortments. Your favorite logos can also be downloaded. Logos of all sports teams are available.

java games

Whether you are waiting for the dentist or for the bus, passing the time is much faster by playing a computer game. Java games are available on the same websites that offer a huge variety of wallpapers and ringtones. Google the word Java Game or Gamer and there are many websites to choose from.

SMS (short message service)

ICQ (I Seek You) was the pioneer of SMS technology and is still at the forefront of SMS technology. ICQ is quite advanced and still progressing. It offers the availability to stay in communication in real time and allows a wide address book. As part of the ICQ community, there are message boards, chat rooms, and user lists available. ICQ also offers unique ringtones. SMS Google is catching up quickly and now offers the user the option to send a text message query directly to your website using a cell phone.

What can you say about ringtones?

So there you have it, what can you say about ringtones? It seems that in today’s wireless and high-tech world, quite a bit. Gone are the days when a single bell would ring or, as Lily Tomlin put it so well, “one ringy dingy, two ringy dingy” had to ring to get her attention. Today the options are endless, so find what suits you best in your own unique ringtone. Stay in contact!

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