| Cell phones have revolutionized the way | | | | their superior and pleasant quality. They can |
| people communicate. Within 20 years cell | | | | play guitars, drums, pianos and other sound |
| phones have moved from luxury devices to | | | | instruments. |
| devices of necessity. Cell phone ringtones | | | | |
| are one of the most popular accessories used | | | | Cell phones are available with preinstalled |
| in cell phones. The annual sales of cell | | | | tones. If the user is not satisfied with them |
| phone ringtones reach approximately $3 | | | | he can download ringtones from the internet |
| billion. | | | | or from other phones. The usual formats for |
| | | | ringtones are either MP3 or MIDI. |
| Ringtones have changed the soundscape of | | | | |
| modern communication. A ringtone is the sound | | | | The latest cell phones can store quite a lot |
| made by a cell phone to indicate an incoming | | | | of ringtones. There are facilities available |
| call. The cell phone makes the ringing sound | | | | for storing different ringtones set for |
| in response to a special ringing radio | | | | different people on the phone book. In |
| frequency sent by the cellular service to | | | | addition, different ringtones for SMS (short |
| indicate incoming calls. They were initially | | | | messaging system), MMS (Multimedia messaging |
| provided in cell phones so that the user | | | | system) and voice calls can also be kept. |
| could differentiate between its own cell | | | | Voice ringtones are a fad these days. |
| phone rings from other cell phones'. However | | | | Ringtone downloads of voices of famous |
| cell phone ringtones have become even more | | | | people, movie stars and other popular voices |
| diversified leading to personalization of | | | | like that of the Star Wars characters Yoda, |
| cell phones. | | | | Chewbacca, R2D2 etc are available. Yoda is |
| | | | particularly popular with the phrase "Answer |
| Presently many ringtones such as sing tones, | | | | the phone you must". |
| voice tones, caller tunes, monophonic tones, | | | | |
| polyphonic tones, true tones etc are | | | | Vibrational ringtones are used in noisy |
| available freely and on payment basis on the | | | | places, while traveling, by hearing impaired, |
| internet. From Britney Spears to Shakira, | | | | places where silence is mandatory like movie |
| crying babies to diving fighter planes, all | | | | theaters libraries, hospitals, meetings etc. |
| sorts of ringtones are available. Cell phone | | | | With vibra ringtones the cell phone vibrates |
| ringtones started out as simple rings and | | | | to get the attention of the user. |
| beeps, but present day ringtones are | | | | |
| generally polyphonic. Polyphonic ringtones | | | | Cell phones have moved from being simple |
| use two or more independent melodies playing | | | | communication devices to a kind of adornment |
| synchronously. Current cellular phones can | | | | and fashion statement. Ringtones help make |
| play four to forty tones and notes | | | | the cell phone appear more lively and |
| simultaneously. Polyphonic ringtones have | | | | attractive and thus reflect on the |
| literally silenced monophonic tones due to | | | | personality of the user. |