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CNN Live Today

Ring Tones Can Express Personality

Aired August 20, 2002 - 13:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the advent of the mobile phone has created a new public phenomenon. City streets, the workplace, everywhere there are people, there are little electronic symphonies.
CNN's Andrew Brown reports on one psychologist's take on your cell phone's chime.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREW BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: These days, phones do more than just ring. They play symphonies, have cheerful chimes, and in vibration mode, they literally dance across the table. The Hong Kong- based psychologist, Xiaodong Yue, says ring tones may tell us something about the user's personality and emotional state.

XIAODONG YUE, HONG KONG CITY UNIVERSITY: Will be a competitive, type-A person, because you always want to do -- you always want to do your best.

BROWN: The kind of noise likely to impress a boss, or a business partner. But what happens if you are in a meeting, and...

YUE: Someone who is experiencing some downturn of emotions.

BROWN: What about this?

YUE: Unpredictable.

BROWN: A British consultant who gives consumer advice on ring tones, say tones often reflect what people do for a living.

PAUL DARBY, CONSULTANT: Zingy, zappy one, off the wall, zany, would be more to do with sales, show business, people involved in talking, in selling.

BROWN (on camera): Nokia's latest handsets not only take pictures you can send to your family and friends, they also feature upbeat melodies which makes it a pleasure to answer the phone.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I like it as music, but not as a ring tone. It would drive me absolutely bonkers.

BROWN: Why don't have you something funky like this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not loud enough.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A telephone should ring and not sing. BROWN (voice-over): How about bark? Siemens is planning to introduce a canine ring tone for upcoming phones. This from the company that has been promoting its product as the ultimate tool for work hard, play hard executives. Just imagine what will happen when they let the dogs out.

ANNOUNCER: Nothing comes between you and success.

BROWN: Andrew Brown, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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