Hax
So my new phone despite claiming to play mp3s as ringtones stubbornly refused to do so. The manual I received reads like Macho Business Donkey Wrestler but the online version for the model says that any mp3 the phone can play can be used as a ringtone. I eventually deduced that the service provider had disabled the feature to force you to buy ringtones and mp3s from them but given that this is a work phone that isn’t an option nor was hacking the phone directly for similar reasons.
As far as I’m concerned I was just restoring an advertised feature of the phone. It’s worth noting I never signed anything at work, no EULA, no service contract, they just handed me the thing. I felt the moral and quasi-legal high ground was mine. It’s also worth mentioning that the mp3s I wanted to use as ringtones came from CDs I had bought. I had the rights to the songs and the website for the phone manufacturer said I should have this functionality - as far as I can tell everything I did was completely legal.
First I tried converting the mp3s to wav files – the files were enormous (25- 30 MB each) and didn’t play even though some old wav files I have from ages ago played fine, even as ringtones.
Clearly this was going to require more than a simple trick.
Harnessing my inner hacker from days of yore I downloaded the SDK from the manufacturer, who provided it completely free. I used the SDK to create my own DRM ringtones and upload them to the phone. Now the phone has been tricked into thinking it has acquired DRM material and the rights to play it. Which I suppose is technically true as I did create the files in question.
Anyways, free mp3 ringtones on my work cell without hacking the cell directly, paying a dime, or breaking the law: mission accomplished.
Almost makes you want to watch Hackers.
Or at least ROFLMAO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEWgs6YQR9A
