ringtone

Vringo isn't one to let its video ringtone application languish in beta. After about a month and a half after Android users could begin playing around with the beta, the Vringo app for Android (story) has popped into the Android market.

Unlike the standard ringtone concept, where you assign the ditty you hear every time a certain contact phones you, with Vringo, you select the media that plays on your buddy's handset. In other words, when you call a friend who also has Vringo installed, they'll see the video ringtone you've chosen to represent you. Think … Read more

Mozilla is upset about the browser ballot screen because it's alphabetical, left to right, by manufacturer. That means Apple gets the prime spot. We think that's parsing the screen too closely. So we decide to parse it even more! And we also reinvent battery technology and solve America's Internet problems. And can you believe it? We even do more. It's true.

False Alarm: New iPhone 3GS Not Jailbreak-Proof http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/10/jailbreak-iphone

Wal-Mart Strafes … Read more

You've already got individual ringtones set up for your boss, your spouse, and other important people. MailTones brings that same concept to e-mail, playing custom sounds when you receive messages from those certain special senders.

Using the $2.99 app [iTunes link] requires two things: That your iPhone is configured for push e-mail (fetched automatically, not manually) and that your e-mail server has the option of forwarding copies of new messages to another address.

Gmail, for example, makes this a snap, as does MobileMe. As for other services and servers, well, you'll have to find out if forwarding … Read more

Like most mobile platforms, Android phones can assign ringtones to incoming calls. What the platform can't do on its own is let callers choose their own favorite ringtones to play when calling a friend. Vringo for Android is a beta application that can do that. What's more, it makes this self-chosen ringtone a video ringtone, which is immensely cooler.

Vringo got its start on Java feature phones, and now works on BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Symbian, too. Here's the premise--you sign up for an account and choose one or more video ringtones, or "vringos," to … Read more

SAN FRANCISCO--There was little breathtaking about Apple's music-focused announcements Wednesday, but what was clear is that the company has focused a lot of resources on improving the music discovery and buying experiences.

At Apple's press event, CEO Steve Jobs showed off what is essentially a modest face lift for iTunes. Among its new features are improvements to its Genius software, music-sharing capabilities, and the company's take on the digital album cover.

All the features are available immediately.

Apple's announcements lacked the jaw-dropping device or service that in the past has spurred big spikes in music sales. … Read more

Apple has obtained the rights to offer ready-made ringtones for the iPhone and managers are trying to have them available in time for next week's press conference, music industry sources told CNET News.

Owners of Apple's iPhone have long had the ability to create custom-made ringtones for their devices. The new music snippets are mainly a convenience, as they make it possible for iPhone owners to obtain a pre-cut ringtone instead of having to create their own.

Apple will announce the ringtones on September 9, the day the company has scheduled a press event, if managers can get … Read more

While you wait for the newly unveiled Ferrari 458 Italia to be revealed in the sheet metal at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, you can enjoy the sounds of the Italian supercar every time you receive a call or text message on your mobile phone. That's right, Ferrari has released official 458 Italia ringtones.

We'd call the automaker vain if the 458's 4.5-liter direct injected V8 didn't sound so mouthwateringly good.

Available sound bites include overtaking, acceleration, on board, and off the mark clips. Download the ringtones in MP3 format for most mobile phones or … Read more

MakeiPhoneRingtone is a free utility that can convert unprotected AAC files into ringtones for your iPhone. Since the iPhone limits ringtones to 40 seconds or less, however, you will need to first use a separate audio-editing application to shorten most songs to the acceptable length--and, if necessary, use that app or iTunes to convert the song to an AAC file. (If you try to convert a longer file, an error dialog will recommend Fission, from the developers of MakeiPhoneRingtone, but any similar app will work.)

Once you have a file of the appropriate length and format, this utility is extremely … Read more

I have never been one to obsess over ring tones. In fact, I have usually just kept the default ring tone, which seemed enough to make me unique enough to stand out amongst the chorus of pop and various other songs. However, playing around with the phone lately, I decided to see what it would take to import a new ring tone.

As it turns out, there are a couple ways. You can import music files through iTunes, through email attachments or downloads. I chose another method though, not being an iTunes user. Connecting my phone to my laptop via … Read more