The Asian Mobile Downloads Sensation
Asia, like US and Europe, is considered a Mecca of content providers. With its big population and mobile users’ mobile downloads and mobile subscription behavior, it’s no wonder real tone ringtone, poly tones, and wallpaper suppliers go crazy fighting each other. Everybody wants to give the latest content to their market.
It’s amazing how Asian mobile subscribers are attached to their mobile phones and downloads. Research revealed that in Japan, 42.1 percent of Japanese cell phone users have taken their mobile units with them into the bath to send text messages, make phone calls, listen to songs or play mobile games.
Mobile entertainment is also very popular in China. A study showed that over a third of Chinese cell phone users listen to music and 10% play games using their mobile phones. China is the world’s largest mobile market with over 200 million subscribers, having the 18 to 34 years old market segment considered as the most active mobile content consumers.
The current demand for real tone ringtones, polyphonic ringtones, wallpapers, and other mobile downloads is expected to increase in the years to come. It’s up to the providers to give its subscribers the type of downloads they prefer.
Sounds familiar…
All artists, at one point in their music careers, did cover songs from their favorite band or singer. Famous music artists come up with their own version to pay tribute and respect to their influence and motivators, while most newbies and wannabies do revivals to catch listeners’ attention and become instant chart toppers.
Some favored cover songs done by famous Rock and Alternative bands were No Doubt’s version of Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life”, Cake’s version of the 1978’s hit song “I will survive” by Gloria Gaynor, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 2003 version of Ramones “Havana Affair”, and Guess Who’s “American Woman” performed by Lenny Kravitz.
RnB and Hip Hop artists also made their share on the cover music scene. P. Diddy and Faith Evan’s version of Sting’s “I’ll be missing you” became an international hit, same with Fugees’ own interpretation of “Now Woman, No Cry” and “Killing Me Softly”.
Pop and Dance artists as well have their own contributions like Madonna’s “American Pie” (which became a soundtrack of the movie “Next Best Thing”) and Fatboy Slim’s version of Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker”…. And the list goes on.
Despite sounding so familiar, it’s still the listeners who will decide what song is pleasing to their ears and which artists gave justice to these all time faves. With these songs being part of mobile ringtones, in real tone and poly tone, it only means that it is also in demand in the mobile music scene.
Somewhere in mobile digital lane…
Combining music and technology is an important factor being considered by most businesses, particularly by the entertainment and mobile industry, in conducting research and studies as they go through product development and look for alternative distribution channels. These modern risk-takers recognize that both elements are the latest perfect mix in making money out of digital mobile music.
Considering music as an important feature in product innovation is evident among new product lines being introduced by big mobile players such as Nokia, Ericsson, and Motorola. They continue to develop mobile phones for music enthusiasts by integrating fm radio, mp3 players, and big memory storage for mobile downloads like ringtones and wallpapers as product features.
As for the entertainment industry, more artists, producers and record companies are now recognizing the big potential of internet and mobile phones as alternative circulation venues for songs and album launches, and as solution to illegal downloading and online piracy.
Famous musicians pioneering digital and mobile distributions are Timbaland and Madonna. Timbaland, famous artist and producer, released the first ever “mobile only” album. On the other hand, Madonna will use mobile downloads as part of her album launch campaign for her much awaited 22nd album, “Hard Candy”.
Hmmm… who’s next in digital lane?
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE INDIE-PENDENCE!
Music industry is one competitive business where big and small music labels battle each other to get the best artists and most number of fans to patronize them. Warner Music, EMI, Sony BMG, and Universal Music are 4 major US music labels that accommodate yesterday and today’s famous artists.
Warner Music is home to famous music personalities similar to Missy Elliot, Rock and Alternative bands such as Nickelback, Goo Goo Dolls, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, and icons like Cher.
Coldplay, Kylie Minogue, and Corinne Bailey Rae are some of the more recognized artists signed up with EMI.
Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, and Avril Lavigne are from SONY BMG Records.
Universal Music Groups has Snoop Dogg, Akon, Nelly, Ja Rule, and Vanessa Carlton.
All these RnB, Hip Hop, Alternative, Rock, and Pop signed artists enjoy the benefits being with big music labels like marketing and financial support that facilitates their international popularity.
Despite the advantages of being under the umbrella of big music labels, there are still many independent artists who want to make a name in the music business on their own. These artists are collectively known as Indie Artists.
Indie (Short for Independent) Artists are unsigned musicians who own and control original compositions. They are free from agreements with any major or commercial record labels and do everything on their own- from composing, recording and publishing of songs. These performers prefer to be self-sufficient because they want to keep their own identity as artists and musicians without restrictions in terms on what dress to wear, how to smile in front of the camera and nobody to control them on how they should sound like. Ultimately, it’s all about the liberty and being intimately connected with fans who really appreciates them.
Through the help of the internet, Indie has become one of the most popular music genres today. Rock, Alternative, RnB, Hip Hop and Pop indie artists promote and build their fan base through social network sites, upload and share their music via pro-indie music sites. Lately, they are beginning to integrate mobile marketing in their promotional activities. They use mobile wallpapers and mobile ringtones – both real tone and poly tone in reaching out to their fans who are also active mobile users.
With the perfect mix of technology, loyal listeners and followers, freedom and originality, Indie artists and their crafts will continue to grow and is here to stay.
Now, the question is, do you still want to be indie-pendent, or go big time on mainstream music?
A whole lotta laughing!
April Fools Day (or All Fools Day) is one of the most awaited celebrations in some countries. It is the time of the year when everybody is expected not to take practical jokes seriously, but be part of it instead.
Though not really a public holiday, it is one of the most talked about celebrations in the US because of the hoaxes thrown by famous fast food merchandise.
In 1996, Taco Bell placed a full- page advertisement in The New York Times saying that they bought the Liberty Bell to reduce the debts of the United States and renamed it “Taco Liberty Bell”. Meanwhile, famous burger chain Burger King also participated in this prank festivity. In 1998, they posted an announcement in USA Today stating that they were offering left- handed Whopper whose condiments were specially created to drip out of the right side. These 2 companies perfectly executed their pranks and benefited from it.
For 2008, you may download humorous downloads for your mobile phones and take part in this year’s All Fools Day celebration. Select, subscribe, and download funny wallpapers for the entire month of April. You may also download and subscribe to hilarious mobile ringtones- both real tone ringtones and poly tones and celebrate this year’s April Fools Day bonanza.
Your Summer Get-Away Soundtrack
Reggae represents the relaxing summer breeze, sound of the ocean, surfers embracing the waves, and big night parties after a long day of under the sun escapades. These are just a few reasons why Reggae is one perfect soundtrack for your summer get-away.
Happy Trendy Healthy
With the perfect mix of lifestyle and technology, staying in shape has never been this fun, fashionable, hip, and music- driven.
Most exercise modules available on videos today are music dependent techniques. Working out to the tune of latest hiphop songs encourages health buffs to dance and move more. The hiphopabs is one good example of mixing music (hiphop to be specific) and exercise into one effective and enjoyable work out suited for dynamic person.
On the other hand, the Samsung Adidas F110 Sport mobile phone or “MiCoach“ is perfect for active individuals who want to stay in style while having their exercise or when having daily jogs at the park. This new gadget has a heartbeat monitor, step counter, and other sports applications, making it the best device for health conscious fashionistas. It is also integrated with MP3 player and FM radio as added bonus to music enthusiasts.