Content Briefs

Cingular Wireless L.L.C. subscribers can access the ringtone from a new Foo Fighters single before the song hits radio airwaves. Cingular and Sony BMG announced the availability of a ringtone from “D.O.A.,” which will be released to radio stations today. Subscribers can buy the ringtone for $2.50 plus a charge for the amount of data or time used to download the clip.

Groove Mobile announced a worldwide licensing deal with Beggars Group, which is a group of independent music labels. The deal allows Groove Mobile to provide immediate access to full-track downloads from Beggars’ entire catalog to users’ mobile phones.

Boost Mobile has partnered with Canadian software developer Blister Entertainment to offer two new location-based games. The mobile virtual network operator launched Swordfish and Torpedo Bay, two global positioning system-based titles for users with Java-enabled handsets. Swordfish players track down schools of fish and use their handsets as fishing poles; Torpedo Bay is a 360-degree submarine game that allows users to find and shoot at other ships. Boost offers the titles at $6 for the first month and $3 for each additional month.

Star Trek fans will soon be able to access themed content through a branded phone modeled on the communicators used in the 1960s TV show. Sona Mobile Inc. will partner with the licensing arm of Viacom International Inc. to produce the handset, which is slated to hit shelves Sept. 30. The companies have declined to disclose the phone’s manufacturer, nor have they cited which U.S. operator will support the device. Sona technology will power the Star Trek Communicator Phone, which will be able to access themed content, including an online multiplayer game, ringtones and fan-club information. The phone will mark Sona’s entry to the mobile entertainment market after six years delivering wireless content to financial services companies. The companies will market the phones in North America and the United Kingdom. Users must pay $10 a month in addition to their regular phone bills to access Star Trek content.

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