Ringtones

ALSO NOTED: Sony Ericsson marketing head resigns; AT&T's customized ringtones; and much more...

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:59:50 -0400

> Motorola's facing its troubles in the public eye, but is Sony Ericsson having some troubles of its own? Sony Ericsson's global marketing chief Dee Dutta left the company after six years. Article

> AT&T debuts customized ringtone service. Article

> Nokia and music labels are deep into Comes With Music talks. Article

> Mobile video quality and speed are vexing users. Article

And Finally... The inventor of the McMuffin, Herb Peterson, died at the age of 89 today. Peterson also wrote McDonald's first national advertising slogan: "Where Quality Starts Fresh Every Day." Article

ALSO NOTED: AT&T refunds over ringtones; Sprint still talking to Clearwire; and much more...

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 06:59:50 -0500

> AT&T agrees to reimburse subscribers for ringtones that ended up not being as "free" as advertised. Article

> AT&T teams up with Silicon Valley and Hollywood to start a seed fund for mobile content companies. Article

> Hesse: Sprint still talking to Clearwire. Article

And Finally... Just because it's one step ahead of LTE in terms of time-to-market, doesn't mean mobile WiMAX is going to be a success. Article

Report: Mobile marketing to hit $24B in rev

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:59:54 -0500

According to a recent report from ABI Research, mobile marketing is on track to hit $24 billion in revenue worldwide by 2013. That figure is nearly twelve times the sector's current revenue pull: $1.8 billion in 2007. A recent survey by ABI found that while 54 percent of mobile users were totally opposed to marketing messages, 70 percent of those respondents, however, said an incentive like a ringtone would make them more receptive.

"The clear difference in this market over the past twelve months has been the embrace of mobile marketing as an integral part of cross-media brand campaigns," says ABI Research director Michael Wolf. "Mobile is no longer off-limits in the minds of advertisers, but is instead seen as a very personal way to reach consumers who can be incentivized through information services and compelling content, as well as through more directly relevant and targeted messaging."

For more on the report:
- read this press release

Related:
- See what FierceMobileContent had to say about this story. Article
- Study: One in four interested in mobile marketing
- Mobile Marketing Association issues EMEA guidelines

ALSO NOTED: Mobiles changing polling; EchoStar to spinoff SlingBox; and much more...

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:59:50 -0500

> Mobile phones change the polling industry. Article

> EchoStar to spin off SlingBox. Article

> Israeli study says prolonged use of mobile phones increases tumor risk. Article

And Finally... A parrot who mimics his owner's ringtone just to annoy him has learned a half dozen classic tunes to keep up with the owner's attempts to get him to stop. An annoying parrot in every home: is this what it takes to drive ringtone sales? Article

Virgin Mobile USA launches Studio V

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 06:59:56 -0400

Virgin Mobile USA introduced Studio V, a mobile content community enabling the MVNO's subscribers to create and share user-generated graphics and ringtones as well as earn cash-reward credit via each download. According to Virgin Mobile USA, customers may upload and edit graphics content to design personalized wallpaper and edit pre-existing audio content to make personalized ringtones--all uploads are free, and content creators will earn 10 cents for each Studio V contribution purchased by other subscribers. User-generated content solutions provider 9 Track Mind will screen all incoming content. "Our customers are some of the most creative and prolific people around, so this Studio V exclusive application is ideal for them to customize mobile content as well as connect with the larger mobile community, along with the added benefit of earning cash towards their Virgin Mobile account," said Virgin Mobile USA vice president of mobile data services Dom Tolli in a prepared statement. -Jason

Nokia is still in the CDMA game: Meet the 2135

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:59:58 -0400

While Nokia's executives have already announced the company's intention to scale back its CDMA business in the U.S., the handset maker is still releasing CDMA phones. Today, company announced the Nokia 2135, a simple handset that runs on CDMA networks and boasts a 400-entry-phonebook, 3.5 hours of talktime and 11 days of standby. The phone also has a speaker phone, user-assignable ringtones and other basic features. The handset should launch this fall in the U.S.

Nokia spokesman Keith Nowak pointed out that many media outlets took Nokia's plans to scale back its CDMA business a little too far:Ã‚Â "We're not doing R&D in CDMA anymore, but all the CDMA products moving forward will have a Nokia design and UI. Manufacturing and engineering of these products will be done by an ODM partner. You'll see more CDMA products from us, but not devices that we have done the true R&D on. We'll be using the traditional ODM model, except the phone really will look and feel like Nokia phones since they will have our UI and design," Nowak said.Ã‚Â

For more on the latest CDMA handset from Nokia:
- read this press release
- see an image of the 2135 handset here

Related Article:
Nokia's first CDMA 1xEV-DO handset Article

ALSO NOTED: Virgin's IPO to be big? Spyker designed phones; and much more...

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 06:59:50 -0400

> BusinessWeek: Virgin Mobile's IPO could be big. Article

> Huawei's acquisition of 3Com a national security threat? Article

> Leap Wireless to join NASDAQ-100 Index. Release

> German designer Spyker has unveiled a number of handsets. Photos

And Finally... Having your mobile ring in a quiet, public place is often embarrassing. Having an adult-content themed ringtone go off in a courtroom, however, is a recipe for a court marshaling. Article

SPOTLIGHT: Do you have Ringxiety?

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 06:59:52 -0400

One of the psychological diseases du jour is called Ringxiety: that's when "patients" think they hear their phone ring or feel their phone's vibration when it's not really ringing or vibrating. That's right, just the "phantom ringtone" repackaged as a "psychological disease." Article

ALSO NOTED: M2Z gets rejected; Five gPhone facts; and much more...

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 06:59:50 -0400

> M2Z's free WiFi plans quashed by FCC's decision to not give the company an exclusive license to build such a network. Article

> New facts about the Google phone. Article

> VeriSign may sell some operations. Article

And Finally... The Bob Marley estate moves to halt ringtone deal with Verizon Wireless. Article

Content kingpins call for simplicity, better UI

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:01:38 -0500

At this morning's keynote session, several top entertainment executives voiced their concerns about the industry and challenged the wireless ecosystem of carriers, handset makers and others to join forces to streamline mobile content purchases.

Edgar Bronfman, Jr., chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group, cited a 2006 study conducted by Warner Music that found that only 8.5 percent of subscribers with mobile music devices were using it to buy music over the air. "It's expensive, complicated and slow," Bronfman says. "As partners in this industry we have to do what we can to change this. We need to make it affordable, easy and quick to download music to mobile phones. Until we achieve that, we are falling short of potential and leaving billions of profits unrealized."

Specifically, Bronfman pointed toward ringtone downloads, where he said the average ringtone download session takes 2.5 minutes and about 20 clicks. "If you could make that 2 or 3 clicks or 10 seconds, the amount of revenue that would unlock would be extraordinary. And that is just for the ringtone market."

The need for simplicity was echoed by Mika Salmi, president of global digital media for MTV Networks. "We are concerned. For teens and young adults--our core audience--it's not that easy. There are so many technical challenges and business issues."

However, Salmi pointed to a few techniques that he believes could improve the consumer experience and uptake of mobile content. For example, he says that MTV is a fan of embedded content on the phone. "Embedded content really shows off the phone. It encourages users to get more content," he says. "It's good for the operator. Good for us and good for the handset manufacturer."

But it's about more than just embedded content, subscriptions and pricing. Lucy Hood, CEO of Jamba!, says that content firms need to create better content that will engage consumers and drive usage. "Only a small fraction [of consumers] are enjoying entertainment. It's a billion-dollar business, but it could be so much more."

ALSO NOTED: Wireless Net Neutrality; Daily Trivia Question; and much more...

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 19:01:30 -0500

> AT&T unveils how-to website for parents looking to control their kids usage of all AT&T services, including former-Cingular Wireless. Article

> The Washington Post has an interesting opinion piece that argues for carriers to open up their network and fight wireless network neutrality. Article

> SiRF and Skyhook Wireless team up to deliver GPS-WiFi hybrid positioning to ramp up LBS services. Release

> Motorola renews its contract with Freescale. Release

And Finally... Your daily dose of wireless trivia: What did the GSM Association used to call SMS messages sent via a GSM network? Submit your answer here.

Yesterday's Question: On what date was this now famous ringtone first publicly heard? Click here to listen to the ringtone. Answer: January 9th, 2007. The ringtone was the one heard onstage at MacWorld when Steve Jobs answered his iPhone. The only correct answer came from Ron Willett, ClearSky Mobile Media.

ALSO NOTED: Vodafone-eBay; Daily Trivia Question; and much more...

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:01:30 -0500

> Japan mobile phones top 100 million. Article

> Federally funded public safety wireless networks debated. Article (WSJ sub. req.)

> Valista, Volantis and Vignette team on rich media content platform. Release

> Vodafone to offer eBay on mobile phones. Article

> Fixed-mobile substitution is accelerating in Western Europe. Release

And Finallly... Your daily dose of wireless trivia: On what date was this now famous ringtone first publicly heard? Click here to listen to the ringtone. Submit your answer here.

Yesterday's Question: Fill in the blank to complete the name of this now defunct startup: Wheels of ____. Hint: The founder also founded Apple. Answer: Zeus. First correct answers came from: Ed Bachner, Rosetta Wireless; Jeff Popoff, Redknee; Howard Gutowitz, Eatoni Ergonomics.

Verizon launching mobile content search

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 17:04:09 -0400

Verizon Wireless is introducing a mobile content search application from Medio, allowing users to search for ringtones, games and wallpapers. VP of marketing and digital media John Harrobin says it will expand the search to ringback tones and other types of content in a few weeks. The search function also suggests recommendations of other content not part of the initial search in an effort to drive further sales.

Verizon also provides some rather vague numbers about the growth of content sales since it reorganized its content deck this May. Harrobin says ringtones experienced ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œdouble-digit growthÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â since bundling the ringtone and ringback tone categories together on the deck. He also said that ringback tones jumped more than 20 percent. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œWe must look at our mobile storefront as floor space in retail. If things arenÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t selling, theyÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢re gone. Other things you have to move to the front of the store.ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â
- Antony

Metric: Women more likely to download ringtones

Tue, 27 Sep 2005 20:01:37 -0400

According to a survey by M:Metrics, although males are more likely to use data services, females are 6 percent more likely to download a ringtone than males. The study found that males are 68 percent more likely to download a heavy metal or rock ringtone, while females are 60 percent more likely to choose a pop ringtone than males. Hip-hop is the most popular ringtone genre for both sexes, accounting for 20 percent of all downloads. Males are leading the adoption of newer technologies, however, as they are 16 percent more likely to subscribe to ringback services.

For more statistics from the M:Metrics survey:
- read this press release

Trend: Wireless phone advertising has promise

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 20:01:37 -0400

According to an In-Stat study, 20 percent of cellphone users said some form of mobile advertising would be acceptable, though none were ecstatic about the concept. Half of those who said they would find such advertising acceptable were open to having advertisers subsidize the cost of premium services like directory assistance, ringtones, and messaging. One-third of all respondents cited high prices as their reason for not signing up for those premium services.

For more details of the In-Stat study:
- read this press release

ALSO NOTED: T-Mobile offers free hotspot service for Katrina victims; Ringtones under patent?; and much more...

Mon, 29 Aug 2005 20:00:41 -0400

> T-Mobile offers free hotspot service for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Blog

> Smart Commentary: A look at mobile messaging firm SMS.ac. Article

> Are ringtones covered by a patent? Article

> Jajah is a VoIP client for smart phones. Blog

And Finally... For today only you can download the Opera browser for free. Blog

SPOTLIGHT: Ringtones Shifting to Latin Market

Sun, 28 Aug 2005 20:01:25 -0400

The ringtone market is expected to soon shift its focus to the emerging Latino youth market. Latin teens are expected to be largest group of minority youth in the US by the end of this year. Hispanics are expected to account for 20 percent of US teens by 2015. Article

SPOTLIGHT: Will ringtone sales hurt CD sales?

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 20:01:25 -0400

Some in the mobile content market claim that ringtones are changing the landscape of the music market and that ringtones and mobile music will supplant CD sales. Critics of this view, however, claim that ringtones are a flash in the pan. Once handsets with full MP3 players are widely available, people will move away from paying for ringtones and just use their MP3s. Blog

Opera unveils J2ME mobile browser

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 20:01:35 -0400

Opera Software yesterday showed off a mobile phone browser designed for use with low-end handsets that run on Java. The browser, called Opera Mini, is based on Sun's J2ME platform and is intended as an alternative to the company's regular mobile browser. The Mini targets the 700 million Java-enabled phones worldwide that cannot currently run a Web browser. Opera claims that installing the browser is as easy as downloading a ringtone.

Opera's client is one of many new applications targeted at the low- and mid-level handset market. The wireless industry expects much of its future growth to come from developing markets, where low-end handsets are the dominant devices. Carriers in these markets are eager to roll out more data services, but they need cheaper handsets and applications first.

For more on Opera's new J2ME mobile browser:
- view this piece from InformationWeek

Metric: More Americans download ringtones

Tue, 09 Aug 2005 20:01:36 -0400

According to new findings from Ipsos Insight, 23 percent of US mobile phone users -- roughly 30 million people -- have downloaded a ringtone in 2005. Only 5 percent reported downloading a ringtone in 2004. Six percent of mobile phone users say they have downloaded full song tracks to their handsets.

For more on the latest ringtone market data:
- check out this piece from CNET