Ringtone sales declining thanks to text messaging and the mobile internet [put it on vibrate]

Filed under “that totally makes sense”, research firm IBIS World says that Americans are going to spend $750 million on ringtones this year, down from $881 million in 2007. “People used to talk on their cellphones” says Frank Dickson, Vice President at analyst firm In-Stat. It’s a sentiment I couldn’t agree with more. Over the past 2 years the average number of text messages sent by Americans every month has increased from 218 to 584; that’s roughly 266%. The number of voice calls during the same span of time has fallen by 15%. Is any of this a surprise to you?

Politeness declining wasn’t mentioned by either firms, but it’s something that should be mentioned. When you’re in a movie theater, don’t use your fone. When you’re on a date, don’t use your fone. When you’re hanging out with your friends, don’t check your email and update your Twitter and Facebook. Common sense stuff, but I still see it happening all the time.

I’m also wondering how is the sharp increase in texting effecting car accidents? When you’re talking and driving you’re still looking at the road. Texting and driving requires that you look down every once in a while.

[Via: Fortune]