I think of my cellphone as a handy but not-so-good digital camera that also happens to be a phone. I don't make or receive that many phone calls but I do like being able to personalize my phone's ringtones (see here). I want to have something distinctive that I immediately recognize as my phone when (on the rare occasions) I'm out and about. I can keep the ringer volume fairly low this way too.
It's not that I get that many calls but the ones I do get are usually from my husband or my kids so I want to make sure I get the calls without having to check every time I hear any cellphone ring. It's also handy to have different ringers for different people so if the phone rings while I'm working, I can decide whether or not to answer. (I always do answer, but I like keeping my options open.)
Now companies are offering ringback tones. This is the sound you hear when calling someone else. The person you are calling gets to pick the song you hear instead of the usual ring.
I don't like this idea. Or, I should say the "good" Marybeth doesn't like the idea of imposing my musical tastes on people who are calling me. The "bad" Marybeth is considering the possibilities. Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 for when the kids' schools call. The U of L Fight Song for all my friends whose allegiance lies with other schools. As soon as my oldest son turns 16 I could set his ringback to Get a Job.
Anyone know of a song that orders the listener to clean their room or do their homework? I could really use some songs like that too.
If others think the way I do, what they spend on ringback tones will more than be made up for in the decrease of incoming call minutes that they will have to pay for.
Posted by marybeth at November 28, 2004 07:35 PM Other Stuff