Ringtones which were once a novelty are now a vital part of modern life in America. With the increase in cell phone processing power, we have quickly moved from the monophonic chirps and melodies of the early models to polyphonic music and sounds. With the use of MP3 technology, original songs can now take the place of the ringtones for your phone.
While they may seem frivolous to some, ringtones are both useful and entertaining. Since nearly everyone you meet will have his or her own mobile phone, finding ringtones of your own can set you apart from the crowd and limits the occurrence of the group spasm of everyone reaching for their phone when someone in the room gets a call. Since most phones allow you to assign a ringtone to individuals and groups in your directory, they can identify your caller audibly rather than requiring you to look at the screen. Your parents number could be linked to an MP3 ringtone their favorite golden oldies hit. Calls from your boy or girl friend could be accompanied by 'your song'.
The song you choose can be meaningful in other ways. Been in the service or planning a hitch later on? How about 'Semper Fi' or 'Anchor's Aweigh'. A big fan of college sports? How about your 'home team's' fight song. A lot more of them are on line than you would think.
Just like the clothes that you wear, the accessories you carry, and the way you walk to class, your phone can speak loudly about who you are and what you are about. Are you cutting edge rock or classic jazz? Show tunes, ballads, or themes from classic movies? Nearly anything musical can be reduced to an MP3 file and downloaded as a ringtone for your phone. A fan of Beethoven or Mozart? Download fragments of your favorite classical work and you're good to go. Naturally, you won't get all three movements of Beethoven's Fifth, but enough to show anyone listening where your musical loyalties lie.
There are a variety of web sites out that can hook you up… the best one I know is at 33rpm.com
33rpm.com supports more than 9 of the major carriers, including Cingular, Alltel, Verizon, and CellularOne.
33rpm.com Ring Tones for Major Mobile Plans
So if the Cingular ringtones list just isn't enough, there is still hope.
Economy is always an issue, especially for students. And while most MP3 Ringtones are less than five dollars, money is money. So how do have your ring tones and keep your change? It is true what they say, there is not such thing as a free lunch, and that applies to ringtones as well. Free ringtones simply means something that you have already paid for another way, usually with your access fees. But while they are technically not really free ring tones, they are not costing you any more, either.
The first place to look for free ringtones is again on your mobile provider's web site. In order to position themselves in the market place and maintain customer loyalty, most provider's will keep a substantial list of monophonic, polyphonic and MP3 based music that you can use for no additional cost.
Whether for fun or to make a statement, free or not free, the Internet and your cell phone provider can help you make your cell phone the most personal thing you carry.