Listen to ringtones before you buy

Cognima has added support for Beatnik's Audio Engine in its Replicate framework, aiming to let mobile phone users preview ringtones on their handset before buying.

Cognima today announced that it has optimised its Cognima Replicate data replication framework for use with the Beatnik Audio Engine (BAE), enabling users of Cognima-enabled devices to preview, select and pay for polyphonic and waveform ringtones directly from their mobile phone's menu. The integration with Beatnik's technology will allow network operators and service providers to offer their customers ringtones on BAE-enabled mobile phones from Motorola, Nokia, Siemens and Sony Ericsson - provided these are fitted with Cognima software.

In addition to the current feature set of Cognima's Replicate, which offers users a network store and backup location for personal data of various kinds, service providers can use Cognima Replicate to deliver a list of available ringtones - and the ringtones themselves - to mobile phone users. The ringtones can be sent to phones that are both Cognima- and BAE-enabled in any industry standard format, including SPMIDI, XMF and RMF and allow high fidelity, natural sounding audio, including vocal samples, to be synthesised.

Cognima Replicate lets the network operator or content provider keep the set of ringtones available on the phone current, without the user having to take any action on his or hers part. New ringtones, available for preview and purchase, appear on the subscriber's phone as if by magic.

Once the ringtones have been delivered to the phone, consumers can try them out using the Beatnik Audio Engine, before purchasing via the Cognima Replicate server. Purchased ringtones are installed instantaneously, and charges appear as line items on the user's bill. Also, current functionality allows users to back up a range of personal information stored in a phone such as ringtones, phone numbers, photos and settings.