ringtone
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Google Assistant can create alarms based on weather and time of day
An update on its way to Lenovo Smart Clock will add a Google Assistant option that can switch up the alarm ringtone based on factors such as the time of day and the weather. In fact, Google's AI can create and curate the piano ringtones for you.
Video: How to easily make your own ringtones in GarageBand for iOS
While the iPhone's standard ringtones certainly have their respective charms there's nothing quite like picking your own ringtones. It's your own little inside joke whenever your Grandmother calls and David Bowie's "Space Oddity" plays or you get a ring from the boss set to the "Imperial March." Thanks to the power of GarageBand the world of custom ringtones can be your oyster. You don't even need to mess with iTunes or a computer. You can do it all from your phone. This video shows how you can easily make your own ringtones using the free iOS GarageBand software available in iTunes. If you've owned an iPhone for years this may be old hat to you, but considering Apple sells millions of phones a year there are still readers who still haven't learned this trick. Once you're done with the video continue reading for a quick tutorial on how to assign your new ringtones to specific people. Here's how to set a personalize ringtone for a friend. Step 1: Go to contacts and select the contact you'd like to set the ringtone for. Step 2: Once inside the contact info hit Edit Step 3: Scroll down until you see Ringtone and select the option. Step 4: Select the song you're looking for and hit done. Your ringtone is now set.
30 years of mobile phones, all jamming together (video)
In the technological equivalent of Band Aid, minus the charitable fundraising, Korea's SK Telecom has celebrated 30 years in the carrier business, by composing its current jingle from yesteryear's cellular hits. Stars include several car-phones from the eighties, the Motorola StarTAC and more recent smartphones like the, er, LG Optimus Z. Well, we were long overdue another K-Pop ear-worm.
Samsung is reshaping its identity one note at a time
A car barrels across a highway, accompanied by a gently stirring orchestral movement. Wait, it speeds away in silence. Actually, it's careering along to a rapid drumbeat and a brutal string arrangement, suggesting there's trouble ahead. That's how Samsung's Joong-Sam Yun prefaced our meeting at the company's Sound Lab in Korea, overlapping different backing tracks to a TV show opening and highlighting the drastic effects of audio. His team is trying to bring a similar aural clout to the company's devices. Samsung's Galaxy S series has become known as the iPhone rival, no doubt magnified by the ongoing legal tussles between Samsung and Apple, and its own ads for the Galaxy S III. Becoming arguably the most visible (and successful) Android smartphone maker has made it a magnet for criticism, fair or otherwise. Despite multiple critically and commercially well-received smartphones, dominating the TV market and spending $10.8 billion a year on R&D, it seems the Korean company hasn't quite achieved the identity it wants. Now, with an eye on changing consumer perception, the company has turned to sound design to make Samsung distinctly recognizable to your ears. Aside from shifting to studio recording and increasingly sophisticated methods aimed at making its ringtones and start-up melodies unique, Samsung's Sound Lab is also tasked with testing and creating new uses for haptic technology -- another effort that the company hopes will ensure its future mobile products maintain that smartphone market share.
Nintendo 3DS to get Recochoku music streaming and download service in Japan, launches in December
Today's early Nintendo Direct broadcast didn't have much in the way of new hardware pricing or surprises, but it did reveal a new music service for 3DS users in Japan. The handheld will soon be able to stream, download and play music from Recochoku, a mobile-centric site that specializes in ringtones and track downloads. Users should be able to take their pick from over 1 million titles, priced at around 250 yen. Any songs bought on your 3DS can also be transferred to your (compatible) keitai of choice.
Peek inside Samsung's sound lab to see ringtones being born
Samsung's opened up about how the engineers in its sound lab build the default tones for your handset. Tasked with developing a "Sonic Branding," a ringtone that's as iconic and recognizable as Nokia's famous reworking of Gran Vals is to the Finnish handset maker. Research showed that most phones are answered within 10 seconds, so for Over The Horizon, the two-second is repeated and variated several different ways. Designing the soundscape for NatureUX also posed problems of its own. In order to create those aquatic noises, designers stirred a rubber bowl of water and scratched wet plates with toothpicks hundreds of times until the perfect tone was found. What was the leading cause of rejection? The enhanced sounds were a little too similar to that of a flushing toilet. Of course, while handset sound design is the team's most famous effort, it's also tasked with producing the audible signals from everything from Microwaves to Washing Machines -- so perhaps your next load of clean laundry will be heralded with a three-minute guitar solo.
Daily Update for February 22, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen.
Ringtone causes New York Philharmonic mid-performance strike
A classical music fan who thought the rules didn't apply to them wound up in a sticky situation when his iPhone's ringtone blared out during Tuesday's performance of Mahler's Ninth at the Avery Fisher hall. The New York Philharmonic's musical director Alan Gilbert heard the disturbance and after a few aggressive looks, stopped his orchestra partway through the final movement until the phone was silenced. Hopefully that person learned a very valuable lesson, and everyone else will remember that there's a special circle of hell reserved for those who don't mute their phone at the theater.
iOS 5 iPhones can now shop for alert/text tones
For some of us, the addition of fully customizable SMS/alert tones in iOS 5 is the biggest improvement in the feature list. (Well, maybe not the biggest, but certainly one of the biggest.) Since alerts can be linked directly to contacts for incoming iMessages or SMS receipts, having a larger library of custom sounds means you can personalize your iPhone to deliver more context in less time -- and without having to look at it to know if that text message is from the spouse or the boss. As iOS 5 has rolled out, the iTunes store (the iPhone version) has added a new section for Alert Tones -- you can find it by scrolling down in the Tones section, or from Settings --> Sounds by tapping the 'Buy More Tones' button. Once you get over the idea of paying US$0.99 for a tiny snippet of audio, you can shop to your heart's content among the sound effects; the Star Wars lineup is particularly popular at launch. Of course, it's easy enough to use your own sound library or recorded audio to create your own custom ringtones and alerts with iTunes. Thanks Chuck.
Acer's Liquid Mini gets Ferrari-fied, doesn't get any faster
Acer's Liquid Mini won't be breaking speed records anytime soon, but at least it can look like a red hot racer, now that it's received the Ferrari treatment. Following in the Liquid E's skid marks, this Liquid Mini Ferrari Edition features a vibrant red exterior emblazoned with the automaker's iconic shield, and ships preloaded with engine ringtones, racing-themed wallpaper and other apps. Under the hood, however, lies the same, Gingerbread-based handset, replete with 512MB of RAM, a 3.2-inch display, five megapixel camera and rather underwhelming 600MHz processor. No word yet on when the device will be hitting the raceway, but you can get a closer look at the source link, below.
Nokia wants you to create its next iconic ringtone, if you have what it takes
On the streets, in crowded restaurants, and even in movies, you've likely heard the same song ad nauseam for the last seventeen years: the rockin' default ringtone used on virtually every Nokia device since 1994. And while it's evolved over the years, Espoo's always taken upon itself to choose the next version of the iconic tune. For the next iteration, however, the company is leaving it up to you to be the creative genius, and is offering a reward of $10,000 for the best one. Five submissions will be chosen as runner-ups, each getting their entry offered in the Ovi store as well as a smaller cash prize for their efforts. So if you've always wanted to hear your own creation blasting out of millions of phones each and every day, now's your chance -- you have until October 2nd to get that spark of musical innovation. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Dear Aunt TUAW: Help me customize my ringtone
Dear Auntie, Just got my first iPhone, but the ringtones stink! How do I take my super awesome Star Trek MIDI file and use it as a ringtone? Hugs and snuggles, JayW. in MN
Apple working on video ringtones
Patently Apple recently uncovered a patent filed by Apple that describes methods for creating video ringtones for telephonic iOS devices like the iPhone. The technology is designed to allow users to automatically combine sound and video from various sources, including iTunes and iMovie, to create custom audio-visual alerts for incoming phone calls. Patently Apple describes multiple ways the patent pending feature could automatically combine audio and video to create custom visuals for each incoming call. In a simple example, visuals displayed on the device would react to associated audio much like a visualizer in iTunes. In another example, a layered composite could be assembled from multiple video or photographic sources. These layers could be independently animated based on different characteristics in the audio track, such as its mix of high and low frequencies. The visuals would not be limited to 2D content. Apple's system could offer visual effects in 3D space, including movement, appearance, shape and differing camera angles. The patent also describes a means for callers to send the "seed" information about a particular song or video. These caller "signatures" could further alter the visual experience for the recipient or offer dynamic links to relevant content for the receiver to check out later. Aside from offering a unique new method for verifying the identity of incoming callers, Patently Apple suggests this technology could bring social networking concepts to ringtones by allowing users to share their latest favorite songs and videos with the people they are calling. The general concept of an animated ringtone is not new. App developers like iFoneTec already offer video ringtone software for the iPhone and Android platforms. (Note: iFoneTec's iPhone app appears to require a jailbroken device.) Existing video ringtone solutions appear limited to playing the same video clip every time a call comes in from a specified contact. Apple's proposed new technology seems to offer a more dynamic and extremely customizable experience that can be configured to some extent by both the caller and the receiver. Of course, Apple often files patents for technologies that never find their way into shipping products. It's unknown whether or not we'll ever see Apple's dynamically animated ringtones on the iPhone. The technology described in the patent would certainly showcase the media capabilities of the iPhone and offer a variety of new opportunities for users to express themselves. Apple's patent, credited to Brian McKnight and Michael Neuman, was originally filed in the third quarter of 2010.
ChevronWP7 team releases custom ringtone manager for 'unlocked' Windows Phone 7 devices
While we patiently wait for the now-offline ChevronWP7 team to partner up with Microsoft and make homebrew awesomeness happen on the real, those that have already opened their Windows Phone 7 devices to sideloading will want to take a look at the team's second tool released earlier this week. The custom ringtone manager they've crafted works in a most unusual way: you select five ringtones you want installed, then let the tool craft a custom XAP (which represent WP7's application package files) which you then sideload -- assuming you've already used the original ChevronWP7 tool to allow such shenanigans.
iTunes 10 drops custom ringtone purchasing
Along with the up-front iTunes 10 changes (social awareness, monochrome sidebar, new-attitude icon), it looks like Apple has quietly dropped one store-centric feature from the latest version. Roberto Baldwin at Mac|Life notes that the feature allowing users to buy a section of a track from the iTunes Store for use as a custom ringtone has gone AWOL between 9.2.1 and 10. Granted, there are lots and lots of ways to make DIY ringtones from tracks you already own or other sources, but the iTunes-authorized method was certainly convenient. Apple may be proud to announce that Ping already has over 1 million users, but now we know that none of them are making ringtones straight from the store. [via MacRumors]
Ringtone creationism not for sale in iTunes 10, but DIY method still seems to work
Not that we've ever been a fan of paying an additional 99 cents to turn an already-purchased track into a seconds-long ringtone, but if you fancied the option in iTunes 9.2.1, we're sad to inform you that yesterday's update seems to have nixed said option. But hey, look at this way, now you can learn a new skill: how to make iTunes 10 ringtones free of charge with some filename finagling. The old method still seems to work just fine (instructions via More Coverage link below), so turn that .m4-frown upside down!
Holiday Gift Guide: The Perfect iPhone Ringtone
Looking to get something for that new, special 3G or 3GS owner that doesn't cost a lot of money? Or even a little something for yourself? (After all, those monthly bills to AT&T are pretty harsh, so a bargain treat is welcome, right?) How about an awesome ringtonable-song? "This is my Ringtone" from Parry Gripp [iTunes link] is it. The guys behind the "Do You Like Waffles" song have created the perfect $1 gift. Think of it as a virtual stocking stuffer. That one dollar buys you all the attitude that a 3GS iPhone truly deserves. Sure, it will make the other people around you feel bad that they don't own their own iPhone, but isn't that what status symbols are for? So live the big life (even if you don't, actually, own an iPhone) with the ultimate iPhone ringtone.
iRingPro offers more tones, improves favorites
Last year I wrote about iRingPro, a group dedicated to bringing "ringtones for adults" to the iPhone. At the time they had one set of 27 tones available simply called "Zen," and they really do sound good. In fact, I still use them today ("Tokyo Station - Hi" Is my favorite). Most feature a series of unobtrusive tones followed by a brief pause. If you've ever been annoyed by the guy whose phone unexpectedly blasts "Enter Sandman," then the Zen tones are for you. They've recently updated the Zen series to include longer pauses between tones. Additionally, they've introduced two new collections, "Origin" and "Tek." Each collection contains between 22 and 31 tones featuring brief silent pauses and another full set with extended silent pauses in either MP3, iPhone for Windows or iPhone for Mac format. I must admit that I'm quite tempted by the Origin pack. It's true that you can make your own classy tones with GarageBand, but these sound great and won't embarrass you when your phone goes off at a PTA meeting. Each bundle costs $9.95. If you purchased the original Zen set and were wise enough to save your receipt, you can upgrade to Zen 2 for free.
iRingPro offers "professional" ringtones
Like many of you, I love the convenience and fun of owning a mobile phone. However, I detest loud and obnoxious ring tones, not to mention the disappointment of a great conversation interrupted by an ear-shattering rendition of The Hamster Dance. I'd prefer it if people used their phone's (least annoying) default tone, but I know that some users can't resist fiddling around. Here's hoping those people will check out iRingPro.Billed as "...smart, attractive, livable alerts," these aren't your nephew's ringtones. Instead, you get a serene but noticeable series of notes that won't elicit strange looks in the board room. Additionally, the pause between repetitions is longer than most, eliminating that sense of "I've got to answers this now!" urgency. There are few samples you can check out on the site, and they're quite nice.A collection of 21 tones in M4R format will run you $9.95US. Please, if you're the downloading type, consider iRingPro.Alternatively, you can try your hand at making your own classy tones with GarageBand.[Via The Iconfactory]
Creating a ringtone using only iTunes
Remember the days when getting a ringtone up on the iPhone was about as hard as, say, fixing the economy? There were all kinds of programs you had to mess around with, and sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't, and most of the time, it just wasn't worth the trouble. Cut ahead a year from those days of yore to right now, and look at this -- all you need to get a ringtone of almost any song you want is iTunes itself.If you want to do anything more fancy, you'll need GarageBand (and you've got it anyway, so follow Steven's guide if you'd rather do that), but as CNET shows, iTunes will let you choose the start and stop times of a song, and converting to AAC from mp3 will let you cut it down to just those times. Pull it out of iTunes, rename the extension, drag it back into iTunes (making sure to delete the version that's already in there), and voila, custom ringtone.Note, however, that it doesn't work for music with DRM on it, but it does work for music you rip from a CD. One favor to ask, though: don't really put Young Jeezy on your ringtone -- those 'tones are obnoxious. How about a little Miles Davis instead?
