| Ringtones originally were a take-what-you-get | | | | T Mobile has several options to purchase for use |
| feature associated with the purchase of a new | | | | as a ringtones listed in four categories: |
| cell phone. Currently, phones come with an | | | | MegaTones, HiFi Ringers, CallerTunes, and Voices |
| assortment of built-in ring tones, with capabilities | | | | & Sounds. MegaTones offer variations of |
| to store countless more. | | | | current favorite songs arranged with instruments |
| Cell phones have become an extension of our | | | | while HiFi Ringers feature snippets of songs by |
| individual persona, and as such are a billboard of | | | | popular artists. CallerTunes and Voices & |
| self expression. Just as someone might decorate | | | | Sounds offer options offering songs "of your |
| their home for individual national holidays, so will | | | | choice", or "sound effects, celebrity voices, and |
| they upload ringtones appropriate for certain | | | | more." |
| times of the year. Accordingly, cell phone | | | | AT&T hosts a Media Mall on its website |
| providers offer music fitting for a particular | | | | offering a plethora of musical ringtone options, |
| holiday on their websites. | | | | featuring mostly popular Top 40 songs under the |
| With popular services such as the iTunes online | | | | Music Tones option. Under the voice tones option |
| store, any Top 40 pop song can become a | | | | one can choose "voice tones" with celebrities such |
| personal ringtone for $1.98. In addition, when a | | | | as Erik Estrada telling you to pick up the phone. |
| song is downloaded from iTunes to be used as a | | | | "Holiday Fun" is another tab under the Music |
| ringtone, it can be also be stored on a PC as an | | | | Tones tab, offering Independence Day and |
| mp3, eliminating the need to pay for the song | | | | Christmas songs. Under "Celebrity Ringers", |
| twice. | | | | choosing a clip is merely a decision between which |
| Cell phone providers also occasionally offer | | | | South Park and Larry the Cable Guy episode has |
| ringtones based on the demographic of the cell | | | | your favorite sound clip. There are also several |
| phone network area. A cell phone company in the | | | | unique sound effects to choose from, such as a |
| southern U.S. such as Southernlinc might offer | | | | door creaking open and a crowd cheering. Each |
| songs popular for that region. One such song, | | | | musical song chosen for purchase as a ringtone |
| (featured by Southernlinc) is 'A Country Boy Can | | | | through AT&T costs $2.49/per song, while |
| Survive' by Hank Williams. With Southernlinc songs | | | | voice tones, sound effects, and polyphonic sounds |
| are $1.49/per download unless on sale. Most | | | | cost $1.99/each. |
| songs downloaded for use as a ringtone typically | | | | Cricket offers a service called "Ringback Tones", |
| cost $.99/per song and up. Sprint PCS has a wide | | | | which offers a catalog brimming with options. |
| ranging variety of songs organized in a vast | | | | Music can be bought for a ringtone at an average |
| catalog, and are available to purchase for $2.50 | | | | price of $1.99/per song, with an expiration date of |
| per song. | | | | six months, which is a stand alone feature of |
| Another useful feature offered by several | | | | Cricket. The catalog options with Cricket |
| websites are programs with the ability to assist | | | | however, are more varied than competing cell |
| you in composing an original score for your phone. | | | | phone companies; the catalog boasts 14 |
| In addition, with the current integration of | | | | categories alone from which to choose your |
| technology between prime time T.V. shows and | | | | ringtone. Among the 14 are: "What's Hot", "Top |
| corporate television websites online gives cell | | | | 10", "Urban", "Country", "Comedy". "Movies/TV", |
| phone users the ability to download the theme | | | | and "Sports". |
| song from a particularly well loved show. | | | | The options for cell phone ringtones are endless. |
| Many cell phone ringtones are available to | | | | Songs can easily be purchased through the |
| download for free from various commercial and | | | | individual cell phone retailer or on any number of |
| independently owned websites. Every cell phone | | | | websites on the Internet. Your ringtone can |
| provider offers a link to download ringtones on | | | | represent your personality playing your favorite |
| the providers' website. Some cell phone | | | | hit song every time the phone "rings", or your |
| companies contract with specific artists to feature | | | | favorite the time of year through seasonal song. |
| current albums or popular newly released songs. | | | | Whichever you choose, your options are as |
| For example, Verizon Wireless currently features | | | | multi-faceted as you. |
| artists such as PHISH, Led Zeppelin, and Belinda | | | | *not responsible for prices quoted as they |
| Carlisle. | | | | constantly change. |