Sharp AQUOS 52" 1080p LCD HDTV

Generation Advanced Super View LCD Panel provides richer color and a more accurate, more brilliant depiction of the world on screen. Multi-Pixel Technology divides each pixel

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Protron 32" Dual Tuner LCD HDTVs

hit the jackpot with this incredible TV package featuring two Protron 32" Dual Tuner LCD HDTVs, a Spectroniq 300 Watt Home Theater System with DVD Player

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SpectronIQ 32" LCD HDTV

the theater with this fantastic system! SpectronIQ 32" LCD HDTV 32" LCD display Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen Resolution: 1366 x

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Akai 37" Widescreen 1080p LCD HDTV

1080p LCD HDTV! Host Kerry McNally says "the most exciting aspect of Host Pick for me, is that I get to bring the promise of tomorrow's technology

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VIZIO 42" LCD HDTV

VIZIO's state-of-the-art, next-generation 42" LCD HDTV will carry you into the high-definition future! The TV will beautifully

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SOYO 32" LCD HDTV

You've never seen a 32" LCD HDTV at such an unbelievable value! With built-in ATSC and NTSC tuners, this awesome value from SOYO

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Cinema Series Pro 1080p LCD HDTV

average CineSpeed LCD panel and a shockingly amazing price and you've got the Toshiba 47LZ196 Regza HDTV! Regza models are the most advanced Toshiba LCD televisions ever

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Westinghouse LTV-32w3 LCD HDTV

This exciting Westinghouse 32" LCD HDTV is packed with all the latest innovations for an amazing entertainment experience.

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Netfaze Technologies PC/TV

Can your TV do this? Computer with an embedded HDTV Netfaze Technologies Canadda

Netfaze Technologies PC/TV

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PSP on the HDTV Component AV Cable

Pardon me while I watch a movie on my 42" television... oh, did I mention the movie is actually playing on my PSP, and also on my tv?

PSP on the HDTV Component AV Cable

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Satellite TV Deals -- Who Has the Best ?

by: Brian Stevens

Getting the best deal on satellite TV service can be confusing.

There are only two satellite TV providers in the USA -- DISH Network and DIRECTV -- but each one has numerous independent dealers who offer a variety of different deals on satellite TV systems and service.

So how do you know which satellite TV provider has the best satellite TV deal? And how do you tell which of their dealers can offer you a great deal plus great service?

I’ve spent the last three weeks researching the Internet to find out which satellite TV provider has the best service, and which dealers are the most reputable and offer the best deals.

Here’s what I found …

DISH Network Deal

Program packages: DISH Network offers four program packages. Prices start at $31.99 per month for their America’s Top 60 package which has 60 channels, and go up to $86.99 for their “Everything” Pak which has 230 channels.

Equipment: Basic equipment -- the dish, receivers, and installation -- is free. Options such as HDTV (high definition TV) and DVR (digital video recording) receivers may be free or cost extra, depending on the dealer.

Broadcast quality: DISH Network broadcasts all its programming in digital format and offers the most HDTV channels of the two satellite TV providers.

Customer Satisfaction: DISH Network is ranked #1 in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates.

Best Deal: The best DISH Network deal I found online is offered by AllSat. They've been one of DISH Network's top dealers since 1996, and offer outstanding customer service.

When you order one of DISH Network's programming packages through AllSat, you get a free satellite TV dish, up to four free receivers, and free installation.

In addition, you can get free DVR (digital video recording) receivers so you can record your favorite programs, and up to two free HDTV receivers so you can watch your programs in high definition.

Note: For more details and ordering information on this satellite TV deal, plus the latest special offers and free bonuses, click on the link below this article.

DIRECTV Deal

Program packages: DIRECTV offers three program packages. Prices start at $41.99 per month for their Total Choice package which has 135 channels, including 31 music channels, and go up to $86.99 for their Total Choice Premier Package which has 185 channels.

Equipment: Basic equipment -- the dish, receivers, and installation -- is free. Options such as HDTV and DVR receivers may be free or cost extra, depending on the dealer.

Broadcast quality: DIRECTV broadcasts all its programming in digital format and offers a number of channels in HDTV.

Customer Satisfaction: DIRECTV is ranked #2 in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates.

Best Deal: The best DIRECTV deal I found online is offered by iSatellite. They are one of the highest-rated DIRECTV satellite TV dealers in the USA.

iSatellite is currently offering a free satellite TV dish, up to four free receivers, and free installation when you order one of DIRECTV's programming packages through them.

You can also get free DVR receivers (after a $99 rebate). HDTV receivers are $199 per receiver.

Note: For more details and ordering information on this satellite TV deal, plus the latest special offers and free bonuses, click on the link below this article.

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Is My Home Ready for Voice over IP (VoIP) Telephony?

by: Chuck Smith

Is My Home Ready for Voice over IP (VoIP) Telephony?

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is finally reaching out to thousands of average homes to offer huge savings in telephone costs. Already popular with the corporate world, VoIP, sometimes called Internet Telephony, IP telephony, or Internet phone, uses your computer's broadband connection - not traditional phones lines - to make long distance, inter-state or local calls.

VoIP works by converting your voice into data, transmitting it over the Internet, and then converting it back into a voice stream so that it can be played on any telephone in the world - almost in the same way your computer transmits email over the Internet.

Less expensive than traditional phones, and convenient -- you just use your computer or a VoIP-ready phone and a broadband Internet connection to make your calls -- VoIP makes for good economic sense. Around for a decade now, VoIP has overcome teething problems to come of age, using advances in PC and IP technology to provide voice quality telephone calls at low Internet rates.

Rising Popularity

International and state-to-state calls, expensive on conventional phone systems, are available at lower prices on VoIP. Finding this cost saving and its voice quality attractive, more home users and businesses are choosing to opt for VoIP.

But, to work well, VoIP needs a good bandwidth connection, such as broadband cable or DSL. Freely accessible nowadays -- 22% of Americans use broadband right now and the numbers are rising each day -- analysts estimate that 50% of Americans will use VoIP in the next two to three years.

The Ins and Outs of VoIP

To use VoIP, you need a broadband connection (either cable or DSL), a regular phone or computer microphone, and a special VoIP router adaptor to connect your phone to the Internet. And, you'll also need the services of a VoIP service provider, such as Vonage or Skype. Depending on the service you use, you can either use the telephone connected to the VoIP router, or call directly from your computer using your computer's microphone and speaker.

Your call connects to your VoIP service provider, and they route the call to the phone number you dialed, converting the VoIP data into a plain old telephone call before reaching its destination. This is how you connect to any telephone in the world, regardless of whether the person you are calling is using VoIP or plain old telephone service.

There are a number of different companies that offer VoIP services. But make sure they provide good voice quality and reliable support, and comply with Industry Standards. Ask potential service providers about the security controls they use to ensure your data and identity is safe and not open to hackers or virus attacks. You can test several trial downloads before you choose your VoIP service provider, and you can always visit user forums on the Internet to check out the kind of problems that customers experience with these service providers.

Cost Factors

Right now, VoIP is fairly inexpensive, averaging around $15 - $65 per month. This is because the VoIP industry enjoys special tax breaks and other privileges. These privileges may be withdrawn in the future, though lobbyists are trying hard not to let that happen. In any case, VoIP is likely to become less expensive as more people turn to it in the future.

In addition, there are a number of free VoIP service providers (who usually have some paid upgraded services) that will allow you to make free VoIP calls among the users of their network. For example, if you sign up for the free Skype service, you can connect with any other Skype user and talk for free.

VoIP - the Pluses and Minuses

Apart from the ease of use, people choose VoIP because it is inexpensive, letting them "phone-trot" any wherever they want to without having to worry about the length of a call, how often you call, or the cost when the bill arrives. Additionally, with some VoIP services, there are no fixed monthly charges to pay, like a regular phone.

On the other hand, if your Internet connection is down, your Internet phone is inoperable as well. And, slow IP connections can hamper VoIP transmissions, causing problems like echoes, delayed response times or voice failure. It's the sort of thing that happens when you find it difficult to connect to the Web, or can't download a file, only it affects VoIP more.

Still, with the advances made in VoIP technology over the past year or so, and the growing momentum with consumers, VoIP is definitely worth looking into for your home. There's even a site that will let you test whether your home broadband connection is ready for VoIP. Just go to www.TestYourVoIP.com, and test your home broadband connection in less than 5 minutes for free.

So take a chance and look into VoIP. You may be surprised at how much money you can save every month on phone services -- and you can brag about your technical savvy to friends, co-workers, and neighbors!

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Satellite Dish TV - Renters 5 things you need to know before buying satellite tv

by: Dleena Bargas

1. Satellite Dish TV Rules and Regulations

If the landlord doesn’t approve and permit satellite dish TV, under the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) rules and regulations, renters have the right to install dish antennas in permissible areas. The FCC ruled that landlords do not have the right to prevent installation, maintenance, or use of a satellite dish to receive video programming such as satellite TV.

Under the FCC guidelines, renters are allowed a satellite dish in exclusive areas designated to be used by the tenant, but not in common areas. Renters are permitted to install satellite dish television in their own exclusive areas such as their balcony, patio, or other areas that they have exclusive right to use. Renters are restricted to install satellite dishes in common areas that are generally used by other tenants such as shared balconies, patios, and roof decks.

For single family homes and leasehold properties, satellite dish TV may be installed in areas that are part of the leased space which includes inside or outdoor areas. A Satellite dish may be installed upon the home itself or other leasehold property such as outdoor gardens, patios, yards, or other areas accessible to leaseholder’s exclusive use.

For apartment buildings, rules do not apply to common areas such as roofs, exterior walls, or other areas accessible to other tenants. In this case renters may install a dish inside or on their balcony.

2. Satellite Dish TV Restrictions

* Size of satellite dish - The size of the satellite dish antennas must be one meter or less (39.7") in diameter. The standard 18" and 20" dish antennas from dish network and directv comply with this rule.
* Safety restrictions - There are safety restrictions for a dish satellite being on a fire escape or violating any fire or safety codes. Dish satellites are to be a certain distance away from any power lines.
* Historic preservation - Satellite dishes are restricted from Historic preservation properties that have a prehistoric or historic district and are registered in the National Registers of historic places.
* Damage restrictions - There are damage restrictions for having a satellite dish when necessary to prevent property damage such as drilling holes to exterior walls or roofs. Check with installer for installing without holes.

3. Satellite TV Home Compatibility

Outdoors are recommended to get a clear reception. If you are a renter who does not have access to outdoor areas, you may still install a satellite dish TV inside near a window or on a balcony facing south. In order for you to receive satellite television broadcast signals, the satellite dish must be placed facing view of southern exposure that is unobstructed from any large trees, buildings, or other large object that may block and diminish quality of reception.

If you are a renter who doesn’t face southern skies, you can talk to your landlord to workout finding a place to install your satellite dish. You also need to obtain consent prior to installing when installing in common areas. If you do have such an area to install satellite television, the landlords may not charge extra rent, fees, or make you sign a satellite dish addendum mid-lease to have a satellite dish.

4. Satellite Dish Installation

Most satellite dish providers provide free professional installation. So you won’t have to worry about mounting the dish. You may use a clamp or a tripod in order not to make any holes in exterior walls. Tripods should be set up in areas that are not in high traffic areas of walking or people bumping into it. The antennas are sensitive to any movement that may throw off your reception signal which you would have to readjust and reposition tripod to catch signal again.

5. Satellite TV Reception

To make sure you get the most optimum picture quality, connect the receiver directly to the TV and not to the VCR/DVR to receiver. Once your satellite dish is in a secure place of any movement and in a clear view of southern skies; rain, snow or wind won’t usually affect or interfere with the satellite dish reception signal.

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Who Uses Satellite Surveillance?

by: Shawn Davis

Satellite surveillance is one of those technological capabilities that we most often associate with the military and with organizations like the CIA. What we do not think about, however, is how satellite surveillance is available to more than just the American government. Space is owned by no one, and anyone who has the funds can launch a satellite. Telecommunications companies, various governments, and media corporations all have satellites. Additionally, it is possible to make use of satellites using computers. In fact, that is how satellite phones and GPS devices work. So, who uses satellite surveillance? The answer: just about anyone.

Satellite surveillance can be used for a variety of purposes. Most common now is relays to watch television or to place phone calls. For the United States and Canada, it actually provides a way to more effectively track and fight fires. And it is possible to track powerful storms and other natural events. And it is no surprise to most people that pictures from satellites can be used by government agencies to keep tabs on possible enemies. What many people do not know is the pinpoint accuracy with which it is possible to view an object about three feet in size.

So, who uses satellite surveillance? For the most part, anyone with access to a satellite’s codes and information and a computer can access the images from that satellite. Television stations use them to show pictures of swirling clouds that represent storms, NASA uses them to take pictures of deep space, and governments and militaries use them to spy on others, and quite possibly even on its own citizens. Interestingly enough, regular U.S. law enforcement agencies do not have regular satellite surveillance access. In order for law enforcement to use satellites for surveillance, they must have warrants and be given special permission. It is even conceivable that some well-connected criminal organizations might possible have satellite access.

Satellite surveillance is a fact of life in our world. Whether or not you truly have to be worried about being singled out for this special attention is a matter for debate. However, it is worth noting that if you are a person of interest to the government, chances are that it can find you and then keep tabs on you.

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Xbox 360: Which Core Bundle is Right for You?

by: Barry Games

If you've lived under a rock since May then you'd be surprised to learn that Microsoft has released their second Xbox titled XBOX 360. Upon your emergence it wouldn't take long for you to figure out that this is no regular system; the XBOX 360 will lead the next generation consoles by including some of the latest wireless and graphic technology to-date. What some of you may not know is the fact Microsoft will release TWO different systems. They were concerned about the price of all the gadgets so they made a second, cheaper system. What's the difference? This article will explain some of the must knows before buying the XBOX 360.

First off, what do the systems hold that are the same? Both hold a DVD-ROM so you can play DVD's, CD's, all XBOX 360 games. You can plug into one of the 3 USB ports to access iPOD's, video, cameras, MP3 players, etc. pretty much the generic gaming experience will be available on both systems. But now for the fun stuff. Should I shell out the extra $100 for the more expensive system?

You'll be surprised about the differences between the two bundled systems so consider these things before buying. In no particular order here are some CONS of buying the CHEAPER system. (Believe me, I wouldn't pump the more expensive system if it wasn't a big deal, I'm here to save gamers money.)

First off, remember backwards compatibility? Your ability to play 200 XBox games on the next generation XBOX 360? Well you NEED to download patches for most games and those patches stay on the hard drive. The cheaper system does NOT come equipped with the 20GB hard drive.

What's the difference in cables? The cheaper version comes complete with AV cables for your TV, the expensive version comes complete with cables for HD-TV hook up. BUT get this: the graphic difference of the Xbox to Xbox 360 will be marginal if you have an old TV. This is what we've been told, and if you experience otherwise post it in our Xbox forum. It seems that you need a new TV to really experience the bells and whistles of the new system.

If you want to save games then you NEED to buy a 64MB memory unit (for the cheaper system) which will cost 40 bucks. That bumps up the price of the original to $340 from $299. For an extra $60 bucks you can have EVERYTHING in the better system. (As an aside, the Canadian companies are going to make a bundle (well not a bundle since Microsoft will likely loose money to start off with.) But, the US price for the basic system is $299 while the Canadian counterpart is $399. The current exchange rate does not warrant a $100 increase to adjust. The price should be closer to $350. Just a thought.)

The one controller that comes with the new cheaper bundle is wired, whereas the more expensive bundle will come complete with a single WIRELESS controller. Enough said. You be the judge regarding its value.

Judging by looks, the Xbox 360 games will typically be sharper and crisper, but not an all out blow out. I'll say that Microsoft BETTER get some more games going than the initial 18 or risk losing market share and interest in a hurry. This article concludes that for the extra $60 bucks (you need the 64 MB card to save games so that's why it's $60,) you shold go out and place an order for the more expensive system. Why Xbox made two different ones when the prices would be so close is beyond me. Mind you, coupled with game packages, the price does climb up there. That's my take, now back to gaming.

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Protect Yourself from Cell Phone Bugs

by: Kingston Amadan

Do you have conversations over the phone that you do not want others to hear? If so, then it may be necessary to protect yourself from cell phone bugs. Cell phone bugs are just as high tech as many other bugs, and can pose even more of a threat, since they are harder to detect. Depending on the bug that is used to listen to your conversation, you might not even realize that someone nearby can hear every word crystal clear.

Even if most of your conversations are of little importance, it is a good idea to make sure that you are well protected against cell phone bugs when you make a vital phone call. It is possible to decrease your chances of being listened to if you follow a few simple steps to avoid eavesdroppers.

Go somewhere where you know you’ll be alone. Some cell phone bugs intercept signals being sent. A person who looks like she or he is speaking on a cell phone has a special device that allows him or her to hear what you are saying on the phone. Additionally, make sure you are in a place where you can watch for newcomers.

Beware the charging or forgotten phone. Many cell phone bugs look just like they are charging or like their owner forgot them. If see a cell phone charging or lying nearby unattended, go someplace else. Someone may be listening in via the innocent looking phone.

Don’t accept new cell phones as gifts. The latest in cell phone bugs is a phone that works like a regular phone, but has a secret access number. If someone gives you a cell phone as a gift, be aware that he or she may be able to dial the phone and not only listen to what you saying while you are on the phone, but activate the cell phone’s microphone in order to hear anything that is going on inside the room.

With a little vigilance, you can avoid eavesdroppers through cell phone bugs. Best of all, if you use ingenuity you can “plant” false information for eager ears. You can outsmart surveillance and the use of cell phone bugs.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Cell Phone Bugs.

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Cell Phone Listening Devices Keep Tabs on Teens

by: Kingston Amadan

Nearly every high school student, and even many junior high students, has a cell phones. This makes it very easy for you to keep tabs on your teenagers with cell phone listening devices. Because they are interested in have phones that allow them to call their friends, you will be the hero when you give them a cell phone. And because you want to keep tabs and make sure that they are not engaging in destructive behavior, you can make use of these cell phone listening devices to keep track of where they are and what they are doing.

The great thing about today’s cell phone listening devices is that they do more than just let you listen to conversations over the cell phone. They also let you hear what is going on in the room, and they come equipped with GPS trackers. These are great because you know where your teenager is, as well as what she or he is doing.

Car tracking devices merely let you know where your car is. There is no way of knowing whether or not your teen is in the car. When you make use of cell phone listening devices with GPS tracking capability, you can know where your teen is. The phone is something he or she will keep on the person. The car can be parked where it should be, and then someone else can give a ride to someplace forbidden. A cell phone bug is a more complete device.

In addition to showing location, cell phone listening devices also let you listen in. The most advanced device works just like a regular cell phone. Your teen will get incoming calls, have a phone book, make calls, and even sometimes have a camera on the phone. The only difference is that you have the power to listen in. You dial a secret secondary number that gives you access to the phone. You can hear the conversation over the phone (and record it) or you can activate the microphone on the phone that picks up the sounds in the room.

You can always know exactly what is going on with your teens you make use of cell phone listening devices.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Cell Phone Listening Devices.

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The Necessity of Spy Electronics

by: Kingston Amadan

When most people think of electronics, they think of audiovisual devices like cameras, computers, TVs, and recorders. Spy electronics also encompass all of things. The main difference is that while all of the above items are mainly used for entertainment purposes, spy electronics are meant to be used in surveillance. These electronics can be very technologically advanced, and some of them can be so well disguised that others do not even realize that they are being watched or listened to.

Spy electronics are necessary to make the whole surveillance profession work. After all, if you do not have recording equipment, or equipment to recover the recordings, then it is no good. You cannot perform effective surveillance. Additionally, electronics in places like command centers and control rooms are what coordinate the efforts of individual pieces of electronic equipment and they also direct the surveillance efforts. In today’s world, the professional needs electronics to be an effective bounty hunter or private investigator.

Spy electronics are not only necessary for people like PIs and bounty hunters. The military makes extensive use of these things. Indeed, their electronic spy devices include things like unmanned spy planes and prototypes for other high tech equipment. Police and government intelligence agencies also make heavy use of spy electronics. Wiretaps and the equipment to listen to what is heard fall into the category of electronics. Other forms of surveillance, such as cameras and other listening devices are also necessary.

Other spy electronics that also perform useful functions include TVs and other screens that display information and computers that keep track of tracking devices and maps. Additionally, computers can direct remote cameras to find new angles and they can also record information and display it a way that is more useful to the user. There is no doubt that computers are becoming very important pieces of electronic equipment that can be used for surveillance purposes.

Without spy electronics, the possibilities for evidence and intelligence gathering, whether for national security or for your divorce case, would be much more limited. Technology has made it possible with a variety of advancements to find out just about anything that you might need to know to help you maintain your quality of life. And it is all made possible with information gathered and analyzed with the aid of spy electronics.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Spy Electronics.

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The Pros and Cons of Broadband Internet Phone

by: Mark Hipp

Most people don't know that they already have everything they need to start saving money using internet telephony, or VoIP. All you have to have is a regular telephone and high-speed internet access. That's it! If you have both of those, you are ready to start saving loads of money on local and long distance phone calls.

It is inevitable that VOIP will replace traditional telephone service at some point. The only question is when should you jump in?

VOIP is quickly becoming more reliable and receiving wider acceptance. In fact, phone companies are already taking advantage of the technology to provide cheaper long distance rates. Like any emerging technology, however, there are kinks in the system that are still being worked out.

Advantages:

Internet Phone Service has numerous advantages over traditional telephone service. The most obvious is the cost benefits. If you have a high-speed internet connection, you can make phone calls from PC-to-PC anywhere in the world for FREE! More common PC-to-Phone calls usually come with a small charge but are still much cheaper than regular phone service.

For a small monthly fee, you can sign up with a VoIP service provider and get unlimited calls within the country! International calls can also be made for a fraction of the cost of regular service.

Another advantage is its portability. You can make and receive phone calls wherever there is a broadband connection by simply signing in to your VOIP account. This makes VOIP as convenient as e-mail. When you're traveling, you simply pack a headset or Internet phone; then you can talk to family or colleagues for next to nothing.

Phone-to-phone VOIP is also portable. Internet phones are small and light enough to take anywhere. When you sign up with a VOIP service provider, the Internet phone or adaptor used by that service is assigned a unique number. This 'phone number' remains valid, even if your VOIP service is in Los Angeles and you're connected to the Internet in London. When plugged into a broadband connection, anywhere in the world, you can make and receive calls as though you were at home.

Features like call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail, caller ID and 3way-calling, are included with Internet telephone at no extra charge. While you're talking on the phone, you can send pictures and documents at the same time.

Disadvantages:

Unfortunately, there are a couple of minor drawbacks you may experience. The first is the fact that you would loose service during a power outage and the other is limited emergency calling.

Conventional phone service continues by the current supplied through the phone line during a blackout. This isn't possible with Internet phones. When the power goes, there goes VOIP service. Battery backups and power generators that provide electricity are the current solutions to this problem.

Emergency (911) calls are another concern for many potential customers as well. In the event that you need to call 911 but can't speak or have to leave, your call can be traced when dialed from a traditional phone. However, this is not the case with VoIP. Fortunately, there is currently technology being developed called 'e911' that will make this possible, so this will not be a problem for much longer.

VOIP also has sound quality and reliability problems. Data sent across the Internet usually arrives at its destination scrambled. E-mail and documents can be reassembled in the correct order when it arrives. Voice data also arrives scrambled, but it's more complicated because of the real-time nature of VOIP. Some data packets may have to be dropped when they don't arrive in time, in order to make voice connections with the least delay. This can cause brief silences in the audio stream.

Your internet connection speed and the distance of the call are the two biggest factors in the quality of the call. If you are in a high-traffic area this may also cause some loss in the quality of the conversation. Once again, technology is constantly being improved on and this is becoming less and less of an inconvenience.

While the disadvantages mentioned above currently present minor problems, it is expected that these will be corrected by the year 2008 and VoIP technology will have become the industry standard for telephone communication.

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Ringtones: What's the Point?

by: Emily Sims

A quick Google search will produce countless articles trying to understand the popularity of 'ringtones'; hundreds of bloggers waxing lyrical on the benefits of personalising their cell phones. Interviews with “experts” profering sexy theories about ringtones and identity construction lend an academic seriousness to the Crazy Frog phenomena. The figures are pretty serious too, in the U.S.A. alone, the Yankee Group predicts, ringtones will be worth $500 million. That’s roughly the GDP of Fiji.

Obviously our cell phones needs a voice, but does that voice need to be a polyphonic adaptation of 'Living on a Prayer'?

The latest figures indicate that young people are the greatest consumers of mobile music. According to one UK survey, 15-24 year olds account for 80% of ringtone spending. Studies by Nick Anderson of Sussex University show that young people are far more aware of the "brand personalty" (the particular identity affiliated with certain brands) than older generations. Anderson suggests that teenagers can deduce a person's character, likes and dislikes, by their branded possessions. Considering the amount of branding in the music industry, it's not unreasonable to say that popular musicians have their own “brand personality”. So, your 50 Cent ringtone, for example, communicates not only a your taste in music, but also your compliance to the whole ‘Fiddy’ meme. Ultimately, for brand savvy youth, this says something about your personality, which, you hope, everybody within earshot understands.

If a cell phone rings in the woods but nobody is around to hear it, are you still down with 50 Cent? Ringtones are about personalization, and about public performance. The publicness of the ringtone is an integral part of its appeal. It's unlikely that anyone would have a ringtone on their landline. In a noisy urban soundscape like the city, silence is an anomaly. Personalised ringtones are simply another irritating sound in the hullabaloo. Most of us manage tune out the sounds imposed on us: muzak, hawkers, traffic, the O'Reily factor, so why try and impose yet another squawk? Perhaps the ringtone is the audio equivalent of territorial pissing; thirty seconds in which YOU pick the soundtrack. For a few moments when your cell phone rings the 50 Cent meme is the most powerful in the sonic environment. Where “Fiddy” is relatively redundant as a social force, certain ringtones allow citizens to demonstrate their dissatisfaction or support of a cause. Independent radio station WFMU have created a variety of anti- George W. Bush ringtones available for download, while engadget.com allows users to choose their preferred presidential candidate ringtone. Condemning other commuters to several cycles of 50 Cent, the theme from 'Star Wars' or a Dubya quote demonstrates your individual tastes and allows others distinguish you as either nemesis or brethren.

In our efforts to relieve poverty, impede environmental disaster or cure the global AIDs epidemic, ringtones are totally and utterly useless. When it comes to enforcing the myth that every individual is special, the artificial uniqueness of a personalized ringtone is just the ticket. Paradoxically, this demonstration of individualism is only really effective in a crowd. As far as this writer's concerned the real purpose of ringtones lies in their ridiculousness. A recent gathering of sensible adults turned to hilarity thanks to an improvised game of "Name that tune". Using Foovely's ringtone preview function, those gathered took turns choosing snippets of songs for the party to guess. Recognising a song in 30 seconds is SO much harder in monophone!

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