Saturday, May 10, 2008

What To Look For In A Ringtone

By Chris Channing

Ringtones empower all types of mobile phone users today to listen to their favorite artists on their mobile phones. But the terminology used to describe ringtones can be confusing, and users don't always know what they are going to get when they buy or download certain types of ringtones.

The first type of ringtone that was produced was the monophonic ringtone. Such ringtones were basic in design, and were common in mobile phones of the 1990's. Monophonic may seem like a big word, but it actually only means that one sound or note could be played at one time. Thus, popular MP3 songs can not be played on monophonic mobile phones- just basic tunes and beats.

Slightly better quality was obtained after the monophonic generation of mobile phone ringtones. Polyphonic ringtones, which support more than one note to be played at any given time, were able to take ringtones to the next level in recreating songs and melodies. Still, the quality wasn't the best, and there was room to improve.

Out of all the ringtone types, TrueTone ringtones became the most popular since they can actually recreate the melodies and instruments in songs. Since it is so lifelike in composition, TrueTone ringtones instantly became a hit among consumers who enjoyed taking their favorite music along with them. This even made some mobile companies come out with media player phones, all thanks to advances in ringtone technology.

Not all ringtones were created equal- in fact, some are used to be secretive when using a mobile phone. The Mosquito Ringtone has become a popular type of ringtone that only youth can hear. It is such a high frequency that adults who have suffered natural ear damage as they age will not be able to hear the tone- making it perfect for classroom or work usage where mobile phones are not permitted.

As the ringtone continues to evolve, it is completely likely that the mobile phone industry will be able to use sound files directly from computers. In most mobile phones, a certain file type is needed before one can play a ringtone correctly. As mobile phones allow for more storage, speed, and memory- having a library of ringtones in their original format will be more than possible. In fact, some mobile phones are already starting to make use of such technologies, such as the line of Smart Phones being developed and used today.

Closing Comments

Mobile phones and ringtones are a match made in heaven. The terminology and phrases that describe such technologies might be confusing at first, but it turns out that just a little knowledge of prefix origins and mobile phone know-how can mean all the difference when knowing the details between the three types of ringtones. As technology seeks to evolve the ringtone industry, it is likely we will see more "secretive" ringtones and true song files gracing our mobile phones. Until then, mobile users should invest in a mobile phone that is TrueTone capable, or a Smart Phone if the funds are available.

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