Once considered a passing craze, ringtones now account for more than 10% of the global music market and are overtaking CD sales sooner than expected. Few thought that the monophonic tones of the late 1990s would evolve into the multi-billion dollar market that exists today. But, following the advent of true polyphonic ringtones in 2003, the realisation of their potential has developed a fresh momentum.

Unable to ignore the ringtone market, the music business has come to embrace its future and its influence on youth culture. This is especially true of the hip-hop industry whose output makes-up more than half of all downloaded ringtones. Successful artists such as 50 Cent, Mariah Carey and Kanye West have all learnt that ringtones are by no means a niche product. To hear the latest from the mobile ringtone charts visit Ringtones.lt

If there is a key to this success then it is probably the creation of a 'total product', that is, the full customisation of phones with ringtones, wallpapers, screensavers, logos, picture messages and games. This has led to huge consumer choice and demand, with endless catalogues of music and themes now available on both mono and polyphonic phones. Another factor has been the obvious media impact, with the likes of the infamous Crazy Frog ringtone experiencing unprecedented coverage.

This popularity should continue for a while yet, thanks to advances in sound quality and the use of MP3 and Real Music by the current generation of phones. There are still new markets to explore as well, with the music-loving Latin Americans expected provide the next big growth area.

Ultimately, the long term success of the ringtone market could depend on the ability of the major phone manufacturers like Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Samsung to combine the very latest technology with wide-ranging compatibility; a balance which is becoming increasingly important in this truly global industry.
About the Author

Philip Nicosia : http://www.ringtones.lt/

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Cell Phones... Funny Ringtones Tired of hearing the usual ringtones all over town? Just at the coffee shop this morning you heard that annoying Nokia tune coming from at least three different people, and what about that generic ring-ring that reminds you of the office phone when you're walking down the street on a sunny day? We all need to add some fun to our lives now and then, and you don't need to brush up on your punch lines to do it. Yes, aside from the imminently useful functions we all know about, your trusty cellphone can be used as a source of amusement for you, or depending on your ringtone, a source of great irritation to those around you! Luckily, there are a huge number of funny ringtones available today for nearly every kind of cellphone - and for every kind of personality. You can download the perfect ringtone to go with your mood, current obsession, and for more fun, match it with a person on your address book. This means you'll know your boss is calling when you hear...

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