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Don’t Go Away

Ringtone sales have taken a nosedive from a whopping $1.2 billion in 2007 to practically nothing today, and I can’t help but chuckle at that wild roller coaster drop! Remember when we used to spend real cash to make our phones sound uniquely us? Whether it was “Crazy in Love” for your best friend or the epic “Imperial March” for work calls, we were all about that personal flair! Now, every phone sounds like it’s stuck on the same boring playlist, and it got me thinking—what's something we’re all buying today that could vanish before we even notice? Join me as we dive into this quirky journey through the world of fading trends and share some laughs along the way. Let’s see what’s next on the chopping block of our digital lives!

Ever wondered how something as simple as a ringtone went from being a billion-dollar industry to a total ghost town? Well, grab your earbuds because we’re diving into a wild ride through the evolution of ringtone sales! James A. kicks things off with a chuckle over a rather eye-popping chart from the Recording Industry Association of America that looks more like a roller coaster drop than a financial graph. Remember the good old days when we actually shelled out real cash to personalize our phones with catchy tunes? From ’Crazy in Love’ to the dramatic ‘Imperial March’, ringtones were all about expressing ourselves, right? But now, it seems like every phone chimed in with the same generic tones, and that’s got us pondering: what’s next on the chopping block? James poses a fun question to the audience, inviting them to contemplate what everyday items might disappear before we even realize it. So, sit back, relax, and let’s reminisce about those ringtone glory days while speculating on our tech-filled future!

Takeaways:

  • Ringtone sales have plummeted from $1.2 billion in 2007 to nearly zero today, which is wild!
  • Remember when we used to customize our ringtones with all sorts of fun sounds? Good times!
  • This episode makes us ponder what current products might vanish unexpectedly in the future.
  • I shared my favorite ringtone, 'Don't Go Away' by Oasis, which really brings back memories!
  • The stark difference in ringtone culture now makes us wonder about what we might miss next.
  • Join the conversation and share your thoughts on what products are fading away fast!

Links referenced in this episode:

Companies mentioned in this episode:

  • Recording Industry Association of America
  • Oasis
Transcript
Speaker A:

This is the Daily Note.

Speaker A:

I'm James A.

Speaker A:

Brown.

Speaker A:

I was chuckling about this chart I saw from the Recording Industry association of America.

Speaker A:

It looked like the steepest roller coaster drop I've ever seen.

Speaker A:

It's ringtone sales.

Speaker A:

billion in:

Speaker A:

We used to pay real money to make our phones sound like us.

Speaker A:

Crazy in love for your best friend, Classical for work calls, maybe the Imperial March, when I even bought apps to make my own ringtones.

Speaker A:

My favorite, Don't Go Away by Oasis.

Speaker A:

But today, just about every phone sounds the same, and it makes me wonder, what's something that we all buy now that'll be gone before we know it?

Speaker A:

What do you think?

Speaker A:

Let me know@jamesabrown.net on that note.

Speaker A:

I'm James A.

Speaker A:

Brown, and as always, be well.

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The James Brown Commentary
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