Get your ring on! Ringtones made easy

Our cell phones have become an extension of us. As such, it's important to customize them as one would a small dog or child*

In the past, carriers would offer ringtones (usually a snippet of a popular song) for a nominal fee. In rare instances, a phone would allow you to upload a file via USB. Presently, not much as changed, although carriers have shied away from selling ringtones.

Thankfully, in the case of the iPhone and Android, it's very simple to make a custom ringtone.

For the iPhone, Demo Geek has a very simple-to-follow set of instructions (complete with pictures): http://www.demogeek.com/2009/07/31/how-to-add-custom-ringtones-to-your-iphone/

It should be noted that this process will require a recent version of iTunes, an iPhone (duh!) and a USB transfer cable. No word on how this process will change once iOS5 with wireless sync debuts this fall.

Android users will find the experience much easier thanks to Ring Droid: a free app from the Android Market. Get it here: labratsonline.com/ringdroid

Android Central has a set of instructions here: http://www.androidcentral.com/creating-custom-ringtones-and-notification-sounds

If you're unsure of how to get content onto your Android phone, check out this tutorial: http://www.simplehelp.net/2009/07/29/how-to-copy-music-to-your-android-phone-from-windows/

And if all this is too much for you, you can always check out the Zedge Ringtones & Wallpapers app for the Android. It's loaded with thousands of user created wallpapers and ringtones - although, a word of warning: Some of this content may not be suitable for children. So, consult an adult before downloading the app.

* Please note the person who wrote these notes has neither a child, nor animal, nor a grasp of how to care for either.