When ring tones first arrived on the market it was treated like a craze, a short term gimmick that would eventually fade away like the Yo-yo and clangers. The industry today chalks up $4.40 billion in sales with $600 million in the US alone and has become a marketing tool for the music industry who are suffering in uncertain times as sales of Cd's and video actually fell 7.6% in the last year. Even the electronic reproduction ring tones of original songs are making a comeback in some kind of retro kitsch movement.
Record companies are happy to sign up for revenue in a market that sees their new bands as well as their established artists being heard for 'free' in schools and around shopping malls as teenagers swap and listen to their friends ring tones. Its a marketing dream that is not only free for the record companies but actually brings in revenue. In fact, the market is so strong these days that even Billboard, who have tracked the fortunes of the nations most popular songs for over fifty years, is now running a chart on the popularity of the most popular ring tones.
Market Analysts do however have a note of caution for the future expansion in the industry. This points to the ever increasing supply and use of phones that can play MP3 files in the same way your i pod or music player can. They point to the diversification of use of mobile phones as a possible hindrance to further explosive growth. One thing is for sure, this is definitely no longer a craze and like all industries that mature, it will need to adapt to stay ahead of the field.
The darker side of the industry is one that has also caught the news in recent months. In Florida, the Attorney General, Bill McCollum recently agreed a settlement with ring tone promoter AzoogleAds. The settlement of $1 million was for misrepresentation on the part of AzoogleAds in that their online promotion of ring tone downloads has misled members into believing the downloads were free.
Ring tones normally come with a contract in which the telephone service provider is billed by the promoting company for a monthly subscription. This charge, which is then added to the subscribers phone bill allows the subscriber to download a fixed number of ring tones a month.
McCollum successfully argued that misleading promotion ads online had left countless subscribers paying for services that they did not know they had signed up for. McCollum heads a cyber fraud task-force in Florida that expects further action and is currently in talks with a number of ring tone promotion companies.
In a parallel move, service provider AT&T announced its intention to police the marketing of its affiliate promoters.
'Consumers should never be billed for services they thought were free of charge', Attorney General Bill McCollum was quoted as saying. 'Today's agreement establishes a precedent for wireless companies accepting responsibility for the way cell phone content is advertised on the internet and the manner in which charges are passed along to consumers. AT&T should be commended for being the first wireless company in the industry to offer this reform.'
These latest developments are sure signs that an industry that started as a craze is developing into a mature industry and finally carrying the responsibility that goes with it. As for the future - give me a ring!
The New Music Industry
There are several companies in the electronics market, which sell mp3 speakers with the mp3 players. The players these days come with stylish looking speakers with a striking sound quality.
Originally mp3 players did not have speakers attached to them. In fact, it is a recent phenomenon. These days mp3 players have become a rage and are owned by every household. The players along with the speakers have revolutionized the whole music listening experience.
The mp3 speaker manufacturing business has opened new vistas for the music industry. The sales figures have moved up several notches after the invention of speakers. The sound quality delivered by these speakers is awesome. The mp3 players have created magic and they are cassettes and compact disks rolled into one.
The mp3 speakers are external devices to be connected with your player that would play the music in a better way. Many companies manufacture external speakers that are attached with your sound system to get the best quality music.
Previously people faced a lot of problem with the speakers but after the revolutionary invention of tripod speakers listening to music has become even easier. Earlier you had to fix the speaker at a place and it was immovable. The speakers had to be placed somewhere near the music system.
But the tripod player speaker has made it easier for people who love to move around and listen to music. This latest technology of tripod speakers doubles as a speaker as well as a tripod unit for your music system. The different arms of the tripod consist of speakers. This device gives a wonderful surround sound effect.
The music stops as soon as you fold the arms of the speakers. The speaker takes the shape of a cylinder as soon it is folded. In this way you have a folded speaker that looks sleek as well as provides great music. The most amazing thing about these speakers is that is also acts as the holder for your mp3 player.
Hence, speakers are absolutely necessary for having a complete musical experience. Without the mp3 speakers you will not be able to experience the magic of music.
Both Neil Ebsworth & Theodore Cartman are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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