Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[AT&T gets slapped for deceptive third-party charges]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/03/atandt-gets-slapped-for-deceptive-third-party-charges/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/03/atandt-gets-slapped-for-deceptive-third-party-charges/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/03/atandt-gets-slapped-for-deceptive-third-party-charges/#commentsFiled under: ,

Suffering a rash of complaints after allegedly free ringtone downloads from shady random companies started showing up on AT&T subscribers' bills, the state of Florida stuck it to the carrier -- and they've agreed to pay up. AT&T and the state have jointly announced that as much as $10 million or more could ultimately be refunded to customers, depending on how many folks file claims, in addition to a $2.5 million fine payable to the state itself and $500,000 for educating consumers on "safe internet use." What's really funny about the whole deal is that Florida's attorney general has flat-out admitted that they went after AT&T only because the actual offenders -- the fly-by-night shops operating the free ringtone schemes -- were too difficult to round up and sue. The carrier has said that it has since made unauthorized charges more difficult to rack up, and is quick to point out that other carriers have been just as guilty of allowing the shady dealings; indeed, Florida says there are other investigations underway.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attflordialawsuitring tonering tonesRingToneRingTonessuitMon, 03 Mar 2008 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[GarageBand 4.1.1 brings custom tones to iPhone]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/14/garageband-4-1-1-brings-custom-tones-to-iphone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/14/garageband-4-1-1-brings-custom-tones-to-iphone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/14/garageband-4-1-1-brings-custom-tones-to-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


As the pic says ladies and gents, Apple has decided that if you're clever enough to work in GarageBand -- and really, aren't we all? -- you deserve custom tones. To get this working all you need do is grab at the fresh GarageBand 4.1.1 update released yesterday, select a cycle region in your song -- a cycle region is just an area in the song's timeline you want to repeat -- then "share" and select "send ringtone to iTunes" option. Of course, your iPhone will need to be at version 1.1.2 to accomplish this little feat of magic, but we're sure most of you out there have sorted updates by now. Enjoy the music and feel free to drop us a note with how things go.

[Via TUAW]

Read - Create custom ringtones in iTunes
Read - GarageBand 4.1.1 update
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applegaragebandiphoneitunesringtoneFri, 14 Dec 2007 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon sells a "Don't tase me, bro" ringback tone]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/10/verizon-sells-a-dont-tase-me-bro-ringback-tone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/10/verizon-sells-a-dont-tase-me-bro-ringback-tone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/10/verizon-sells-a-dont-tase-me-bro-ringback-tone/#commentsFiled under: ,


We're not exactly certain how a clip of Andrew Meyer politely asking the University of Florida cops to refrain from Tasing him ended up on Verzion's ringback tone web shop, but you know a million phone lines just got that much more annoying.

[Thanks, Yamin]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andrew meyerAndrewMeyerdont tase me broDontTaseMeBroringback toneRingbackTonetaserMon, 10 Dec 2007 16:37:00 EST<![CDATA[iTunes 7.4.2 hits, say goodbye to DIY iPhone ringtones (for a while)]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/17/itunes-7-4-2-hits-say-goodbye-to-diy-iphone-ringtones-for-a-wh/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/17/itunes-7-4-2-hits-say-goodbye-to-diy-iphone-ringtones-for-a-wh/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/17/itunes-7-4-2-hits-say-goodbye-to-diy-iphone-ringtones-for-a-wh/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Apple might be neutral towards third-party iPhone software development, but it's apparently downright hostile when it comes to DIY ringtones -- just 10 days after releasing iTunes 7.4.1, which killed off an easy way of getting your own ringtones on the iPhone, the company has dropped iTunes 7.4.2, which obsoletes the latest ways of getting your own sounds on the phone, including popular apps MakeiPhoneRingtones and iToner. DIY ringtones still make it into iTunes' ringtones folder, but aren't copied over to the iPhone -- a problem we're certain hackers will get around sooner rather than later. C'mon Apple, we know you're smarter than to play these cat-and-mouse games.

Update: Well, that didn't take long. According to Shadowfax in the MacRumors forums, all you've got to do to get ringtones back is flip a metadata bit and change the file extension back to .m4r -- something MacRumors says is more indicative of Apple "solidifying the format" than actively trying to kill ringtones. We're also hearing iToner still works, although we've yet to confirm. Check the read link for Shadowfox's instructions.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneitunesMon, 17 Sep 2007 18:56:00 EST<![CDATA[The lowdown on ringtone changes in iTunes 7.4.1?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/12/the-lowdown-on-ringtone-changes-in-7-4-1/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/12/the-lowdown-on-ringtone-changes-in-7-4-1/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/12/the-lowdown-on-ringtone-changes-in-7-4-1/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Remember how Apple rushed out 7.4.1 on the double after folks hacked 7.4 to enable free ringtones in mere hours? Turns out we may now know exactly what Apple did to patch it up -- and, naturally, how to enable 'em once again. It looks like Apple added new metadata to music in 7.4.1 that was missing in 7.4, a value called "stik" (what that could possibly stand for, we're not sure). Anyway, the value needs to be present and set to "14" on any AAC tune for iTunes to identify and sync it as a ringtone. That's it. Turns out there's an open source package to let you play with the metadata, too, so the whole procedure really couldn't get less expensive. Give it a shot and let us know how it goes!
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7.47.4.1iphoneitunesringtoneringtonesWed, 12 Sep 2007 13:14:00 EST<![CDATA[iTunes now serving-up Ringtones]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/11/itunes-now-serving-up-ringtones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/11/itunes-now-serving-up-ringtones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/11/itunes-now-serving-up-ringtones/#commentsFiled under: ,


If paying for ringtone snippets of the songs you already own is your idea of a good time, then get on over to iTunes trust funders, Apple's now serving up ringtones at $1.98 a pop. But they're only $0.99 you say? Nope, remember, you have to buy the rights to the song too. Fun. Keep it safe, kids.

[Thanks, Pinsleric, Michael F. and everyone who sent this in]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiphoneitunesringtonesTue, 11 Sep 2007 02:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Music industry has another death-spasm, coughs up "ringles"]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/10/music-industry-has-another-death-spasm-coughs-up-ringles/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/10/music-industry-has-another-death-spasm-coughs-up-ringles/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/10/music-industry-has-another-death-spasm-coughs-up-ringles/#commentsFiled under:


It seems like very couple months one of the major labels announce yet another harebrained scheme to entice consumers to purchase CDs, regardless of what people actually prefer, and right on schedule, Sony BMG and Universal have announced their latest three-martini-and-a-cocktail-napkin plan: the "ringle," a $6 CD single featuring a remix and ringtone. There's really not much more to say -- trying to revive the CD single by adding in something that consumers are used to getting over-the-air seems like it speaks for itself -- but it's certainly interesting to see the labels desperately try and nab as much of the ringtone market as they can, even as their partners try and move forward. We'll see you at the funeral, boys.

[Image courtesy of Boy Genuis Report]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cdcd singlesCdSinglesringlessony bmgSonyBmguniversalMon, 10 Sep 2007 22:45:00 EST<![CDATA[iTunes 7.4.1 ringtones re-rename workaround discovered]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/08/itunes-7-4-1-ringtones-re-rename-workaround-discovered/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/08/itunes-7-4-1-ringtones-re-rename-workaround-discovered/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/08/itunes-7-4-1-ringtones-re-rename-workaround-discovered/#commentsFiled under: , ,


So last night iTunes 7.4.1 came out which, among other things, blocked off the custom ringtone renaming method, which allowed users to add their own ringtones to their iPhone without buying them on iTunes. Well, as posters in our own comments have already discovered, it's back, and here's how to do it:

First, follow the steps of the original method
  • Create your ringtone, save it as an AAC file.
  • Rename the m4a extension to m4r.
  • Double-click to play in iTunes.
Now, if you're upgraded to 7.4.1
  • Go back and re-rename that m4r file back to m4a. That's it.
  • Plug in your iPhone and that ringtone will be added to your syncable ringtones list -- and it won't pop up the error from before.
  • Play your ringtones constantly for the next 10 hours until 7.4.2 comes out.
[Thanks, Engadget commenters! More here.]
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneitunesringtunesSat, 08 Sep 2007 13:21:00 EST<![CDATA[iTunes 7.4.1 already released -- free ringtone workaround is NOT ok]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/07/itunes-7-4-1-already-released-free-ringtone-workaround-is-ok/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/07/itunes-7-4-1-already-released-free-ringtone-workaround-is-ok/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/07/itunes-7-4-1-already-released-free-ringtone-workaround-is-ok/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Just thought we'd let the droves of paranoid upgraders know in on a small bit of good bad news. Yes, Apple did already release a new version of iTunes tonight, 7.4.1, and we tested to see if said update "fixes" the ringtone-renaming hack (if you really want to call it a hack) that lets users supply their own ringtones sans Apple's $0.99 fee. Breathe not so easy: it may be legal (probably), but the hack did not continue to work just fine for us. More below.


Update: So yes, our previous ringtones carried over and we were able to add new renamed ringtones to iTunes -- but our readers are right in that 7.4.1 DOES block the renamed ringtone workaround moving forward. Our initial syncs went unblocked, but only until we tried to add new ringtone files. Once you actually attempt to sync new renamed ringtone files, well, then you're in for a heap o' pain (see above).

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applehackiphoneitunesringtonesupdateFri, 07 Sep 2007 23:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Simple hackery enables free iTunes ringtones]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/07/simple-hackery-enables-free-itunes-ringtones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/07/simple-hackery-enables-free-itunes-ringtones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/07/simple-hackery-enables-free-itunes-ringtones/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Well, this is a handy (and well-timed) find! User Cleverboy over at Macrumors has discovered a simple trick to get your own music onto your iPhone using the just-released iTunes 7.4, and it'll cost you precisely nothing. To get this to work, we hear you only need to rename an AAC track to .M4R, then double click it and iTunes will automagically load it into iTunes for you. Next time you plug in your iPhone to sync up, just check off the song in the Ringtones tab and voila, instant tone gratification. Thanks, Apple -- free ringtones for the songs we already own or ripped from our own CDs, this is how it should have been from the get-go. On a happy note, Macrumor's forum users are reporting the magic works via both Apple and Windows flavors of iTunes, but feel free let us know how you all get on.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneiTunesring tonesringtonesFri, 07 Sep 2007 11:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple adds iPhone ringtones to iTunes]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/05/apple-adds-iphone-ringtones-to-itunes/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/05/apple-adds-iphone-ringtones-to-itunes/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/05/apple-adds-iphone-ringtones-to-itunes/#commentsFiled under: ,

A new version of iTunes supporting custom ringtones for the iPhone ships this evening. They'll run 99 cents on top of the cost of the song, but in trade, you'll be able to make your own custom ringtone from the song. They can run up to 30 seconds in length, denoted by bells that appear next to "ringtoneable" songs -- which'll be 500,000 of 'em at launch. Apple flips the switch to enable the feature "next week."
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebreaking newsBreakingNewsiphoneringtonesWed, 05 Sep 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple set to launch ringtone service for iPhone September 5th?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/31/apple-set-to-launch-ringtone-service-for-iphone-september-5th/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/31/apple-set-to-launch-ringtone-service-for-iphone-september-5th/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/31/apple-set-to-launch-ringtone-service-for-iphone-september-5th/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The New York Post is reporting that Apple's September 5th dog and pony show is set to usher in the age of iTunes as ringtone-management software for iPhone. Apparently the rumored service will see iTunes able to convert any song into a ringtone -- for a fee, of course -- and you'll even have the ability to dictate which portion of the song becomes the tone. The offering will also include the ability to use previously purchased tunes as ringtones, and we're hoping your own music in iTunes, too. We're feeling this is long overdue, but can assume that Apple could have been in conversation with the labels to sort out the financials of all this magic. Watch this space next week for more news on pricing and availability -- if indeed, it actually pans out.

[Via AppleInsider]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple eventAppleEventiphoneitunesringtonesFri, 31 Aug 2007 14:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorola and ARIA release MOTOROKR Z6 DUO ARIA Edition]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/22/motorola-and-aria-release-motorokr-z6-duo-aria-edition/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/22/motorola-and-aria-release-motorokr-z6-duo-aria-edition/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/22/motorola-and-aria-release-motorokr-z6-duo-aria-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


What's better than the music-centric MOTOROKR Z6 slider you ask? One that is brought to you in conjunction with the Australian Recording Industry Association -- think RIAA, but Australia's version -- of course. Released exclusively through Crazy John's on a minimum plan of AUD $35 over 24 months (that's AUD $840), this fella definitely doesn't come cheap. Included as pack-ins are the MOTOROKR S9 Bluetooth stereo headphones, a 1GB memory card, and a $25 ringtone and wallpaper pack. The impetus behind this partnership -- other than to collect info about all your stolen music and get you busted (wink, wink) -- is to give Z6 owners direct access to ARIA's music chart from their handset and hopefully give Moto's flagging sales performance a much needed boost. Nice handset, nice headset, but these two may make strange bedfellows -- at least in the public's eyes -- if the ARIA is as unpopular as the RIAA is over here.

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ARIAMOTOROKRMotorolaRIAAS9Z6Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:41:00 EST<![CDATA[iFuntastic 2.0 enables mortals to mod their iPhone]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/28/ifuntastic-2-0-enables-mortals-to-mod-their-iphone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/28/ifuntastic-2-0-enables-mortals-to-mod-their-iphone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/28/ifuntastic-2-0-enables-mortals-to-mod-their-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


If you were enthralled by the sound of what the Dev Wiki crowd was cookin' up, yet you just couldn't understand the majority of what they were telling you, you're in luck. bitSplit, the man that brought you iFuntastic, has released version 2.0 of the software, which goes the extra mile and enables mere mortals (read: folks who aren't down with code speak) to "add ringtones, change the carrier logo, and reorder their iPhone applications." Best of all, this here software is completely free to use, but unless you've got an Intel-based Mac, you won't get very far. So go on, tag the read link and see what fun awaits you.

[Thanks, Dustin]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bitsplitdev wikiDevWikidownloadhackiFuntasticiphoneiphone dev wikiIphoneDevWikisoftwareSat, 28 Jul 2007 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo 3 site offers ringtone downloads]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/28/halo-3-site-offers-ringtone-downloads/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/28/halo-3-site-offers-ringtone-downloads/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/28/halo-3-site-offers-ringtone-downloads/#commentsFiled under: ,

For all of you waiting to pick up your prepaid copies of Halo 3, the Microsoft Halo 3 site has a few mobile goodies to get at while you wait. Finish the Fight, Last Spartan, and the Halo theme can all be grabbed as ringtones for your MP3 playing handsets. Also up are a collection of pics and avatars and while not specifically for mobiles, a wee bit of Photoshoppery --or an online resize with Imageshack -- can correct that. So if you dig the game, dig ringtones, or just like new things, pop on over to the site to have a look-see.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halo 3Halo3microsoftringtoneSat, 28 Jul 2007 01:24:00 EST<![CDATA[New chip curbs misplaced cellphone syndrome]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/26/new-chip-curbs-misplaced-cellphone-syndrome/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/26/new-chip-curbs-misplaced-cellphone-syndrome/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/26/new-chip-curbs-misplaced-cellphone-syndrome/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Those who are contemplating some type of bizarre surgery to ensure your dear cellphone stays permanently attached to your person should probably hold off, as a couple of companies are teaming up to curb the oh-so-typical problem of misplacing one's handset. New Japan Radio Co. and Superwave Corporation have reportedly joined forces to "develop a chip that uses weak radio waves to communicate with mobile phones, paving the way for devices that tell users when a handset is misplaced." Supposedly, the chip would communicate with one's phone "every few seconds," and if you bolted from the subway sans your cellphone, a sound or vibration would apparently be there to alert you of your mistake. Hold tight folks, the firms have plans to distribute samples to manufacturers this October. [Warning: Read link requires subscription]

[Image courtesy of GLIRC]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alertlostMisplacednew japan radioNewJapanRadioradioradio chipRadioChipsuperwaveThu, 26 Jul 2007 22:24:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhoneRIngToneMaker makes adding custom tones a breeze]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/25/iphoneringtonemaker-makes-adding-custom-tones-a-breeze/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/25/iphoneringtonemaker-makes-adding-custom-tones-a-breeze/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/25/iphoneringtonemaker-makes-adding-custom-tones-a-breeze/#commentsFiled under: ,


We love ease of use and Apple is usually on top of that game, but on this outing they seem to have forgotten a few things. The creators of iPhoneRingToneMaker are trying to take some of the pain out of transferring tones to your beloved by presenting you with a GUI and working the magic backstage. The site's FAQ states that there is no danger to your handset and that they are not employing hacks, but are simply transferring the music to your handset -- we aren't sure how, isn't the iPhone locked up tight? The tool will let you transfer your favorite ringers or enable you to create your own from songs you already own in MP3, WAV, or OGG formats. The software -- Windows only -- will run you $10 but they also have a try before you buy package if you just want to test the waters. As with any tools like this, fiddle at your own risk.

[Thanks, Chris W]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneringtonesWed, 25 Jul 2007 06:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Palm releases Treo 750 alert sound bug fix]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/23/palm-releases-treo-750-alert-sound-bug-fix/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/23/palm-releases-treo-750-alert-sound-bug-fix/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/23/palm-releases-treo-750-alert-sound-bug-fix/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you're a Treo 750 owner and have almost thrown your precious QWERTY-board out the window a few times due to missing alert sounds, take a deep breath. The fix for the Palm edition of the Treo 750 appears to address the issue of lost sound alerts that notify you of calls and other notifications. Yeah, we consider that a top-priority fix like you. The root cause was identified by Palm to be related to multiple hooks into the audio driver(s) of the device, causing it to stop completely. The update is detailed using the read link below if you need to restore that loss of sanity caused by a silent 750.

[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Palm TreoPalm Treo 750PalmTreoPalmTreo750TreoTreo 750Treo alertsTreo audioTreo updateTreo750TreoAlertsTreoAudioTreoUpdateMon, 23 Jul 2007 15:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Rogers Wireless banning MP3 ringtones on its handsets?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/18/rogers-wireless-baning-mp3-ringtones-on-its-handsets/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/18/rogers-wireless-baning-mp3-ringtones-on-its-handsets/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/18/rogers-wireless-baning-mp3-ringtones-on-its-handsets/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's the situation most of us love to hate: we buy that new, shiny handset with full MP3 capability to supplant that fully-fledged, big-gig DAP only to find out that MP3 files -- as clips or songs -- can't be used as ringtones. Sure, there are sometimes workarounds and hacks, but should anyone really have to go through all that? Music-based handset crippling may be coming to Canada's Rogers Wireless, as word on the street is that phones sold by the carrier, like the Nokia 5300, won't allow non-DRMed MP3 files as ringtones. We find this ludicrous on music-centric handset, but reports are that the requirement was at the behest of the music industry (who else). If you're a Rogers subscriber and are locked out of using your own homebrew MP3 clips as ringtones, we'll take it that you're miffed, big time. We gotta go DRM those MP3 files of some barking dogs we have, so catch ya later.

[Via mocoNews and BoingBoing]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drmMP3ringtonesrogersrogers wirelessRogersWirelessWed, 18 Jul 2007 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Video hints at customized iPhone ringtones]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/12/video-hints-at-customized-iphone-ringtones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/12/video-hints-at-customized-iphone-ringtones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/12/video-hints-at-customized-iphone-ringtones/#commentsFiled under: ,


Chris Hughes -- the gent who brought us the RoombaWii -- is up to new shenanigans and this time with an iPhone. Apparently using a bit of software that is "... close to being releasable ..." he was able to add the "CTU" ringtone -- yeah, we know, poor choice -- to his iPhone. Of course, this would be dead-easy to dupe -- and we can't verify 100 percent either way -- but his honest demeanor, striking resemblance to Matt Damon, and previous tricks help us to at least hope that there is a shred of truth in this. Check the vid after the break.

[Via Wirelessinfo.com]

Continue reading Video hints at customized iPhone ringtones

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customcustom ring tonesCustomRingTonesiphoneThu, 12 Jul 2007 12:21:00 EST<![CDATA[QKphone 911 sports deafening ringtone speakers]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/11/qkphone-911-sports-deafening-ringtone-speakers/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/11/qkphone-911-sports-deafening-ringtone-speakers/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/11/qkphone-911-sports-deafening-ringtone-speakers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If you think a 7.1 surround system on the rear of a smartphone is hot stuff, we've found a Taiwanese device that simply puts it to shame. Not much is known about the relatively stylish QKphone 911, but it does appear to sport Bluetooth, a touchscreen QVGA display, some form of "Windows Mobile," a built-in media player, and a piercing array of speakers (count 'em, five) on the rear. Of course, we're sure you're most interested in actually hearing what this bad boy can do, and while YouTube clips don't exactly replicate its power per se, it's certainly better than leaving it to your imagination, right? You know the drill, click on for the videoed demonstrations, but check those volume knobs beforehand!

[Via Technabob]

Continue reading QKphone 911 sports deafening ringtone speakers

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiobluetoothloudQKphone 911Qkphone911smartphonespeakerWed, 11 Jul 2007 23:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia licenses Immersion's VibeTonz haptic goodness]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/04/nokia-licenses-immersions-vibetonz-haptic-goodness/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/04/nokia-licenses-immersions-vibetonz-haptic-goodness/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/04/nokia-licenses-immersions-vibetonz-haptic-goodness/#commentsFiled under: ,

Immersion hopes we're creatures of mobile haptics, as the company has licensed its VibeTonz whole-mobile haptic engagement software platform to Nokia. VibeTonz, already licensed to Samsung and included in the SCH-W559 from Verizon Wireless (and many more Samsung handsets), slaps multi-stage vibrating haptics into mobile games, ringtones, menu systems and more. Immersion calls it a "multisensory experience," which we find to be an accurate description. With Nokia onboard, we would not be surprised to see the cellphone sales leader start touting VibeTonz as a "must have" feature in its newer handset models. After all, no retrofit is needed -- VibeTonz is basically software control over vibrating motors only (no extra hardware required).

[via MobileTechNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Gaming hapticsGamingHapticsHaptic technologyHapticsHapticTechnologyImmersion CorporationImmersionCorporationNOKNokiaVibeTonzVibrating ringtonesVibratingRingtonesWed, 04 Jul 2007 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Cellphone moos, Indian leopards fooled]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/06/16/cellphone-moos-indian-leopards-fooled/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/06/16/cellphone-moos-indian-leopards-fooled/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/06/16/cellphone-moos-indian-leopards-fooled/#commentsFiled under: ,


Got leopards? Officials in western India have discovered a novel approach to capturing wayward individuals without having to resort to live bait or potentially dangerous pit traps. The angle is pretty clever, pile some critter sounds on a mobile -- cows and goats are favorites -- plug it into some speakers in a cage and let it rip. This technique has apparently worked a handful of times so far, with the captured cats then safely delivered to a new home in the woods. We're hoping nobody gets silly and test drives Emotive's push ringer on some unsuspecting sap while on safari.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>indialeopardringtoneSat, 16 Jun 2007 21:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Feeling Cingular, tired of the "tic tic tic" of GSM interference]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/06/15/feeling-cingular-tired-of-the-tic-tic-tic-of-gsm-interference/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/06/15/feeling-cingular-tired-of-the-tic-tic-tic-of-gsm-interference/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/06/15/feeling-cingular-tired-of-the-tic-tic-tic-of-gsm-interference/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

GSM radio interference is sadly the cost of admission -- a price we pay, but wish we didn't have to -- to the GSM club. One Cingular subscriber suffered a blown speaker from the interference and without recourse for the damage has started a site to talk about it. We've never heard of any property damage from a blast of RFi (Radio Frequency interference) when held too close to a speaker, radio, or other equipment, rather it is like a warning that a call or message is coming in. We were debating if this effect was as strong on a GSM 1900 network, so if you have any thoughts, chime in. The feelingcingular.com site has a nice ringtone to download, featuring, you guessed it, RFi noise as the tone. So if you are a CDMA subscriber (Sprint, Verizon, and such) and wonder what all the fuss is about, grab at it and enjoy.

[Thanks, Justin]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cingular noiseCingularNoiseGSM interferenceGsmInterferenceRFiFri, 15 Jun 2007 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BlueQ's unsightly Vibrating Bluetooth Wristband]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/18/blueqs-unsightly-vibrating-bluetooth-wristband/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/18/blueqs-unsightly-vibrating-bluetooth-wristband/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/18/blueqs-unsightly-vibrating-bluetooth-wristband/#commentsFiled under: , ,


There's no shortage of vibrating alerts available for your cellphone these days, and while the MBW-100 watch will kindly inform you of whose calling while still looking relatively stylish on your arm, BlueQ's simplified attention getter certainly lacks any hint of fashion. BQ Wireless has unveiled a stripped down wristband that simply sports an internal Bluetooth module, on / off button, and a Transfer button in case your cellphone won't automatically take over the cal from the device. Put simply, this wrist adornment shakes your arm when someone's trying to ring you up, and while this may be somewhat less noticeable than a blaring ringtone in the middle of a crucial interview, it's bound to be exponentially more embarrassing when someone informs you that your articulatio radiocarpea is buzzing uncontrollably. Nevertheless, it's slated to hit retailers in July for $39.95 if you're still interested.

[Via Slashphone]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryalarmalertblueqringringervibratingvibrationwristbandFri, 18 May 2007 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Emotive's Push Ringer overrides ringtones, pranksters overjoyed]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/20/emotives-push-ringer-overrides-ringtones-pranksters-overjoyed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/20/emotives-push-ringer-overrides-ringtones-pranksters-overjoyed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/20/emotives-push-ringer-overrides-ringtones-pranksters-overjoyed/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Forget personalized ringtones and ringbacks, the next tween obsession has arrived in the form of Push Ringer, which "enables a caller to push an outgoing ringtone to the receiving phone -- allowing the caller, not the called person -- to set the tone." We're assuming you're either elated or sighing mightily after reading that, but there's 7.7 million reasons why you wish you would've implemented it first. A group of deep-pocketed investors have sunk $7.7 million into Emotive Communications' flagship idea, which temporarily overrides the phone's preset ringer, and moreover, allows the recipient of the surprise sound-byte to "instantly buy a copy" if they so desire. Notably, this very service has already taken the VoIP world over, as Skype users are probably more familiar with the RingJacker concept. Now, who's down for inventing the Push Ringer Reverser to send a "you got punk'd" clip back at the egotistical sender?

[Via The Raw Feed]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customizationemotiveimsinteractivemarketingmediamusicoverridepersonalizationpush ringerPushRingerreverseringbackRingjackerringtoneskypeviralvoipwarnerFri, 20 Apr 2007 23:17:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T bringing wrestling to mobile phones]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/09/atandt-bringing-wrestling-to-mobile-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/09/atandt-bringing-wrestling-to-mobile-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/09/atandt-bringing-wrestling-to-mobile-phones/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If you're bustin' to get that jumpin'-off-the-ring wrestling action anywhere you are, you're about to be in luck. That is, if you're an AT&T wireless customer. In a paradoxically odd way, the larger-than-life pro wresting stars of WrestleMania and other pro wrestling shows are about to land hard on that 2 inch cellphone screen. What will the content be? For starters, graphics ($1.99 each) and videos featuring wrestling stars, ringtones with wrestler's voices ($2.49 each) and updates from weekly matches and the like -- just don't let that wrestling scream ringtone out on a Honolulu bus. Even select World Wrestling videos will be on tap as part of AT&T's media service offering at $20/month. And, of course, the cherry on the parfait will be a premium WrestleMania video package for $4.99 a month extra. Let's get ready to rumble.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CingularWrestleManiaFri, 09 Mar 2007 16:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Some guy offering silent ringtone]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/07/some-guy-offering-silent-ringtone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/07/some-guy-offering-silent-ringtone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/07/some-guy-offering-silent-ringtone/#commentsFiled under: ,

We think this is a joke, but we're actually more afraid that it's not. San Francisco-based "conceptual artist" Jonathon Keats has generously offered his latest composition, "My Cage," free of charge as a ringtone through mobile multimedia vendor Start Mobile. But wait, there's a catch, it's four minutes and thirty three seconds of pure silence. And it's not the kind of silence teens can hear, either -- it's actually pure silence. So pure, in fact, that Start Mobile keenly points out that "the silence may take place without the listener being aware of it." While we think it really doesn't serve the intended function of a ringtone in the purest sense of the word, we can't argue with the price: free. Let us know in comments what percentage of calls you manage to answer, mkay?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jonathon keatsJonathonKeatsmy cageMyCagering toneRingTonesilencestart mobileStartMobileSun, 07 Jan 2007 06:39:00 EST<![CDATA[SingTones delivers instant karaoke ringtones, ensures humiliation]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/09/singtones-delivers-instant-karaoke-ringtones-ensures-humiliatio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/09/singtones-delivers-instant-karaoke-ringtones-ensures-humiliatio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/09/singtones-delivers-instant-karaoke-ringtones-ensures-humiliatio/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you're not fortunate enough to have access to KTF's ringtone-making stations, and think those Top 40 songs-turned-tones are just played out, how'd you like to hear your own screeching renditions blasting from your mobile? SingTones -- a new service / software designed to aid in the creation of karaoke ringtones -- allows users to purchase popular songs and then dub their own voice atop the music. By texting to buy or purchasing the track online, customers can then listen to the soundtrack, belt out the lyrics into their phone, and instantly receive a customized ringtone sure to elicit incredible amounts of embarrassment if used in public. SingTones charges a whopping £3.00 ($5.75) per song if ordered from your mobile, and £2.50 ($4.76) if purchased online, but tossing your ho hum vocals atop of your favorite tune can be accomplished for much less coin if you've got the necessary skills to whip up your own.

[Via Pocket-Lint]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>extrasfeaturesfeeshumiliationkaraokesingsingtonesukThu, 09 Nov 2006 17:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago Sinfonietta arranges concerto for ringtones]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/10/10/chicago-sinfonietta-arranges-concerto-for-ringtones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/10/10/chicago-sinfonietta-arranges-concerto-for-ringtones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/10/10/chicago-sinfonietta-arranges-concerto-for-ringtones/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It seems that ringtones of every frequency have skyrocketed up the list of popular pet peeves (at least in boardrooms and lecture halls), but the Chicago Sinfonietta went against the grain by kicking off its 20th anniversary season with a piece that would drive interviewers, ministers, professors, and less-than-understanding managers insane. David Baker, a music professor at Indiana University, crafted the "participatory Concertino for Cell Phones and Orchestra" after symphony director Paul Freeman conjured the idea of having attendees blast those monophonic jams on cue in order to create an abstract form of musical art. Utilizing colored signals resembling a stoplight, guests were armed and ready to emit whatever ringtone they pleased, and the cacophonic barrage of high-pitched beeps reportedly formed a euphonic medley that only an artist could appreciate. While we aren't sure if this newfangled form of music will ever hit the iTunes Music Store, catching it on Verizon's V CAST service might not be too far fetched.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artclassicalconcertomusicnoiseOrchestraTue, 10 Oct 2006 15:28:00 EST<![CDATA[News Corporation shells out $188M for piece of Jamba]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/16/news-corporation-shells-out-188m-for-piece-of-jamba/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/16/news-corporation-shells-out-188m-for-piece-of-jamba/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/16/news-corporation-shells-out-188m-for-piece-of-jamba/#commentsFiled under: ,

Apparently, we're in the wrong business. Media powerhouse News Corporation has agreed to purchase a controlling interest in ringtone guru Jamba for $188 -- yes, $188 million from current owner VeriSign. The resulting joint venture will be folded into News' Fox Mobile Entertainment group, creating a terrifyingly large mobile media behemoth from whose gravity no one will be able to escape. Alright, maybe that's a little alarmist, but it does seem plausible that some extraordinarily high percentage of all ringtones purchased in the future across the globe will ultimately come from Jamba (or its American subsidiary, Jamster). If there's one positive note to come out of this monopol... er, agreement, it's that Jamba will soon be offering The Simpsons Mobile, a themed store offering wallpaper, ringtones, screensavers, and video from the popular show. Now if we can only hook ourselves up without getting duped by a free ringtone scheme, we'll be good to go.

[Via MobileTracker]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jambajamsternews corpnews corp.NewsCorpNewsCorp.verisignSat, 16 Sep 2006 16:41:00 EST<![CDATA[RIAA establishes Master Ringtone Sales Award]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/06/18/riaa-establishes-master-ringtone-sales-award/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/06/18/riaa-establishes-master-ringtone-sales-award/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/06/18/riaa-establishes-master-ringtone-sales-award/#commentsFiled under:

The big wigs over at the RIAA have established a new reward system, much like the one they use for traditional albums, called the Master Ringtone Sales Award. They're keeping track of how many times a song has been downloaded as a ringtone -- it has to be the original recording, not some clunky midi version -- and once that number hits 500,000 it's considered to have gone Gold. One million sales merit Platinum status and two million marks the start of the ever-expandable Multi-Platinum category, into which the Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps" and three others have already climbed. Check the link for a list of all 128 songs honored -- including some Mariah Carey recorded for Pepsi -- at the inaugural ceremony held in NYC. Rumor has it that next year's event will have a lifetime achievement award for the late Crazy Frog.


[Via Slashphone]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goldmariahmulti-platinumplatinumriaaring tonesRingTonesSun, 18 Jun 2006 16:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Cingular offering "personalized" celebrity Answer Tones]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/06/04/cingular-offering-personalized-celebrity-answer-tones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/06/04/cingular-offering-personalized-celebrity-answer-tones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/06/04/cingular-offering-personalized-celebrity-answer-tones/#commentsFiled under: ,

How do you make an annoying service even more unbearable? In the case of Cingular's Answer Tones (better known as ringback tones), you give customers the option of torturing their callers with "personalized" celebrity greetings to go along with the current catalog of low-quality song snippets. The wireless services provider has just a launched a program called "Say My Name" that offers subscribers the dubious ability of having celebrities like Juvenile, Ice T, Jamie Kennedy, and a bunch that we never head of, repeat a $2 canned message -- complete with the owner's first name (if they're lucky enough to have one of the 40 or so names deemed popular enough for this promotion, that is) -- while they're digging around pockets and purses for their phones. Note to our friends: the first time we hear a "Wassup, this ya boy Juve the Great..." when we call one of you, you'll be immediately kicked out of the Circle of Trust.

[Via Mobiledia]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>answer tonesAnswerTonescelebritiescingularice tIceTjamie kennedyJamieKennedyjuvenilepersonalizationringback tonesRingbackTonesringtonesSun, 04 Jun 2006 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA["Stealth ringtone" can only be heard by teens]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/25/stealth-ringtone-can-only-be-heard-by-teens/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/25/stealth-ringtone-can-only-be-heard-by-teens/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/25/stealth-ringtone-can-only-be-heard-by-teens/#commentsFiled under: ,

We admit, the vibrating alerts in some phones are extraordinarily loud, often too loud to be discreet. And if the phone is sitting on a hard surface? Forget it. Motorola's BUZR could be years away, if we ever see it at all, so what's a mischievous, cellphone-toting student to do when phones are banned from class? Rumors are flying that students in the UK have recorded the sound produced by a device called the Mosquito, designed to disperse roving gangs of teenagers by emitting a sound that can only be heard by youngsters. By using the recording as their ringtone, they hear it (along with their friends and any nearby canines) while the poor headmaster is left in the dark. It's debatable whether your average cellphone is capable of producing sounds in the range necessary to elicit this effect, so this may be nothing more than a rumor, but if you see packs of dogs belting out some tunes near the local high school, you know what's probably going on.

[Via Ringtonia and BoingBoing]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mosquitoringtoneshockstudentsThu, 25 May 2006 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cingular drops "La Migra" ringtone]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/11/cingular-drops-la-migra-ringtone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/11/cingular-drops-la-migra-ringtone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/11/cingular-drops-la-migra-ringtone/#commentsFiled under: ,

Cingular Wireless has pulled a ringtone that mocks Latin American immigrants from its site, after being contacted by an advocate from a group called the League of United Latin American Citizens. The $2.49 ringtone, called "La Migra," ridiculed Latinos, with wording such as "Step away from the telephone-o. I'm deporting you back home-o." According to reports, a Cingular exec was "nearly speechless" after listening to the ringtone.

Update: Thanks to Sascha Segan for pointing out that the ringtone was actually a bit of satire put together by Latino comedian Paul Saucido. You can catch Sascha's interview with Saucido here.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cingularracistringtonesThu, 11 May 2006 17:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Universal Studios starts mobile division]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/04/universal-studios-starts-mobile-division/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/04/universal-studios-starts-mobile-division/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/04/universal-studios-starts-mobile-division/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Yeah, everybody is doing it, but there's always room for one more media conglomerate to create overpriced mobile content for the masses. Universal Studios has just launched a mobile unit, Universal Mobile Entertainment, that will provide mobile content based on Universal properties. Turns out they'll be playing it pretty safe, with games, ringtones and mobile versions of existing video clips. Tie-ins will include modern hits like "Battlestar Galactica" and classics such as "Jaws." They're also looking into the possibility of doing mobisodes like those done for ABC's "Lost" and Fox's "Prison Break," but nothing solid on that front yet.

[Via MocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mobile contentMobileContentmobisodesringtonesuniversaluniversal studiosUniversalStudiosvideoThu, 04 May 2006 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Mariah Carey to write and record ringtones]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/04/24/mariah-carey-to-write-and-record-ringtones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/04/24/mariah-carey-to-write-and-record-ringtones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/04/24/mariah-carey-to-write-and-record-ringtones/#commentsFiled under: ,

We're not sure if this signals the end or further resurrection of her career but the Glitter girl herself, Ms. Mariah Carey has inked a deal to write and record original ringtones in a Pepsi/Motorola exclusive offering. No doubt, it's nice to see artists and corporations alike embracing new technologies as a means of getting their ware out. Still, we just hope she can avoid the temptation of warbling about in her trademark whistle register pitch -- a ringtone sure to make Crazy Frog sound like a soft baby coo dipped in whispers.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>careycrazy frogCrazyFrogmariahmusicpepsiringtoneMon, 24 Apr 2006 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorola patents cellphone shock BUZR]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/04/21/motorola-patents-cellphone-shock-buzzer/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/04/21/motorola-patents-cellphone-shock-buzzer/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/04/21/motorola-patents-cellphone-shock-buzzer/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you need to turn that ringer off in a movie theater or meeting, but find that the ol' vibrate mode just isn't doing it for you anymore (or if you need a surefire way to wake yourself up in the AM), Moto has the answer: shock mode. The company has filed for a patent on what it calls "a system that allows a cell phone to set off electrodes on a stimulator pad, alerting users of incoming calls." Moto also notes that the system can be used for "therapeutic stimulation," and that customized patterns -- think of them as the shock equivalent of ringtones -- can be downloaded to enhance the experience. We assume it'll only be a matter of time before someone figures out how to use this as a weapon (or at least a 21st century alternative to the joy buzzer) as well. And if you thought you had trouble getting through security with your camera phone, just give it a try with one of these babies.

[Via Mobiledia]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphonemotorolaringershockFri, 21 Apr 2006 11:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Cingular to help MySpace bands create, sell ringtones]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/04/07/cingular-to-help-myspace-bands-create-sell-ringtones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/04/07/cingular-to-help-myspace-bands-create-sell-ringtones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/04/07/cingular-to-help-myspace-bands-create-sell-ringtones/#commentsFiled under: ,

All those MySpace groups who don't end up winning Verizon's "Calling All Bands" contest will still have a wireless carrier-sponsored shot at stardom thanks to a new service called Cingular Mobile Music Studio that will turn their songs into ringtones available for purchase from the band's MySpace page. Any MySpace-accredited artist or band whose songs consist of original material may submit one track to project manager InfoSpace for consideration, and if deemed appropriate, it will be transformed into a 30-second downloadable ringtone. Artists will get 25% of the $2.50 that each 'tone will cost, and receive their cut as a check in the mail every quarter as long as revenues for that period exceed $100. This is the second major partnership between Cingular and MySpace, with the carrier's subscribers already able to receive text alerts when someone leaves a comment on their page, and one of several pushes the social networking site has made into the mobile space.

[Via Seattle Times]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandscingularCingular Mobile Music StudioCingularMobileMusicStudioindieinfospacemobile musicMobileMusicmusicmyspaceringtonesFri, 07 Apr 2006 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Chuck D, Tommy Lee and reggaeton groups try to add star power to CTIA]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/04/05/chuck-d-tommy-lee-and-reggaeton-groups-try-to-add-star-power-to/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/04/05/chuck-d-tommy-lee-and-reggaeton-groups-try-to-add-star-power-to/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/04/05/chuck-d-tommy-lee-and-reggaeton-groups-try-to-add-star-power-to/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While CES played host to such celebrities as Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise and even Bill Gates,  CTIA is not without its share of stars. Or at least has-been stars. Or wanna-be stars. At the top of CTIA's A list is one man we do have to give it up for: Public Enemy's Chuck D (of course, if it was Flav instead, we'd be working on some sort of snide comment about his timing about now). The rapper and activist (pictured) is launching his own mobile music service, Chuck D Mobile, which will sell ringtones, voice clips and other audio from rappers. According to Chuck D's manager, the service will avoid gangsta rap and focus instead on "healthy stuff." Also strutting his stuff at CTIA is former direct-to-tape star Tommy Lee, who has a deal with Hands-On Mobile, formerly Mforma, and will apparently be developing content that will, in the words of Lee, scare "the sh*t out of your buddies." We're assuming Lee doesn't have "healthy stuff" in mind when he says that. Oh, and lest you think Lee's scary sh*t is the last word in CTIA stardom, still more ringtones will be coming your way from reggaeton "stars" Nandy and Pokoloko. The two groups, along with Tony Touch, have cut a deal with content provider WiderThan. We expect more music ringtone announcements in coming days, though we don't anticipate anything from the likes of Cruise, Williams or Hanks -- though we wouldn't be surprised to hear some ringtones from Gates (or at least Ballmer).

Read - Chuck D
Read - Tommy Lee
Read - Reggaeton
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chuck dctiafight the powernandypokolokopublic enemyringtonestommy leeTommyLeetony touchWed, 05 Apr 2006 20:30:00 EST