Create-Your-Own-Ringtone System could be a killer app

The ringtone marketplace is only seven years of age, having begun in 1998 when a Finnish operator (Radiolinja) launched the first mono-ringtone service for Nokia handsets. It took just five years for the global ringtone market to become a US$BILLION industry and with new developments in polyphonic sound and ringback tones contributing to ever more expansion, it’s a massive unforeseen market yet to be fully tapped or understood. Which is why a new service offering an easy way to record and create your own ringtones might just be a killer application.

Until now, ringtones were all prepackaged generic songs or sound effects but Blue Frog Mobile has developed a personalised service, to be known as “Own Tones”, that offers a very easy way to record your own voice ringtones.

"Blue Frog Mobile's patent-pending technology gives people an easy way to make their own ringtones," said Ron Erickson, President and CEO of Blue Frog Mobile. "More importantly, you don't need to buy the ringtone until you're happy with what you've created."

Whether it's your pet barking or meowing, your children singing their favorite song, or a special message from a loved one, you can create your own customized ringtone.

Here is how the system works. You call a number (in the US it’s 206-678-RING), record a message, and send it to your cell phone. The only requirement is that your phone must be capable of playing voice tones. Right now, Cingular/ATT Wireless and T-Mobile customers can use the system, and more carriers are expected to be added soon.