Ringtone Information

For someone just getting into the world of ringtones, the number of strange phrases, jargon and mobile language can be confusing. In order to simplify things, we've created this glossary of sorts to help in understanding the various terms that may be bandied about when searching for the ideal ringtone provider.

Ringtones

The dictionary definition is "the sound made by a telephone to indicate an incoming call". Ringtones are now quickly becoming synonymous with mobile phones in today's mobile oriented society. The meaning is often skewed to refer to almost any sound emitted from a mobile phone when receiving a phone call. Funnily enough, customizable ringtones for mobile phone use came out of the need to differentiate the owner's phone when being called in the presence of other mobile phone users. This trend has gone on today to the nth degree, with ringtone personalization at an all time high.

Carriers

The ringtone providers can only send the ringtones if they use the carrier's protocols. The carriers are the networks that provide the cell phone coverage throughout the United States. Some of the larger carriers include: Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, Cingular, Nextel, Dobson, Cellular-One and many more. Ringtone providers only work with specific carriers, so this site will automatically select the most suitable provider for you depending on your selection of carrier.

Realtones / Real tones

There is a popular misconception that Realtones are just ringtones that mimic, or are, licensed works. There was a great deal of confusion about this until in January, 2006 the Mobile Entertainment industry agreed on a standardized definition of the "Realtone" - "a ringtone that is licensed by the rights holder, produced from an original recording, with the performer clearly identified in its marketing material". Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Polyphonic Ringtones (also known as poly ringtones)

Simply put, a polyphonic ringtone is a ringtone that can play multiple streams, or channels, from a MIDI file at the same time. Akin to a mini MIDI orchestra, you can have separate parts playing strings, percussion etc. These tones were a big step up from the monophonic ringtones that were ever prevalent in the black and white screen phone era.

Monophonic Ringtones

The classic ringtone sound, most people have heard and recognize it - monophonic ringtones are made up of a singular MIDI track and can only play one tone at a time. Most newer phones these days come without these.

Fun tones

Fun tones are moreso a genre of ringtone, as opposed to an actual format. Fun tones are often audio of jokes being told, strange and funny noises and everything inbetween. Witty comments - anything that constitutes fun or humor is included in this category!

Voice tones

Voice tones seem to vary between the different ringtone providers. Some offer voice tones in the same sense as the fun tones - audio of speech or jokes being told. Some provide acapellas or audio of vocal music.

Ringback Tones / Callback Tones

A ringback tone is essentially the sound made by the phone network to indicate a ringing phone on the other end of the line (i.e. the number you're calling). You'll know this sound best from the warbling you hear when waiting for whoever you're calling to pick up.

Certain carriers now allow you to change this tone and personalize your ringback tone with clips of music, sound and various other effects.

Java games / Javagames

Java is a programming language with a large number of applications in web development, frontend manipulation and also plays a role in cell phone software. Thanks to the Java platform, developers are able to code java games for you to play on your mobile phone.