The musical ringtone was once a lucrative industry, but sales have since plummeted and companies like Zingy have closed their doors permanently. Mobile phone users may not think much about them, but the gradual decline of the musical ringtone has been bittersweet for those in the music industry. Those who still hold on to their musical ringtones can appreciate not only their sound, but also what they say about who they choose. One of the most downloaded ringtones in history was the Crazy Frog of the early 2000s.
This musical passage, which would become one of the most listened to pieces in the world, reached Nokia devices in part because it was in the public domain. Francisco Tárrega had been dead for about 80 years when they sampled his song as a ringtone. Ringtones were popular for a variety of reasons. They were one of the first audio products accessible via mobile phones, said Richard Conlon, senior vice president of corporate strategy, communications and new media at Broadcast Music Inc.
Additionally, a lot was done with million-dollar ringtones: sales led to a grateful music industry struggling to adapt to the digital age. However, as technology advanced and more audio products became available, people began to lose interest in ringtones. With streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, people no longer need to purchase individual songs or tones. Additionally, with the rise of smartphones, people can now customize their own ringtones with ease.
The decline of the once lucrative ringtone industry is a reminder that technology is constantly changing and evolving. As new products become available, people's interests shift and industries must adapt or risk becoming obsolete. The music industry has been able to survive this shift by embracing new technologies and creating new ways for people to access music.
