How to add custom ringtones and sounds to your Android phone

Android is all about customization.

Don’t like your launcher? Get a new one. Don’t like your gray keyboard? Change it up! Got the same ringtone as that annoying co-worker at the other end of the room? Just don’t like the lame, old sounds that came with your sweet, new phone? No problem — we have options. Once you get the hang of it, the world is your ringtone.

Let awesome ring.

• How to find and set ringtones through the Zedge app
• How to add your own ringtone to Android
• How to apply your custom ringtone in Settings
• How to apply a custom ringtone to a contact
• How to apply a custom notification tone

How to find and set ringtones through the Zedge app

There’s a lot of places to find ringtones, but far and away the easiest is Zedge. Zedge is a customization app that looks to personalize two of the most basic aspects of your phone: your sounds and wallpapers. Zedge even streamlines the process, letting you download and set your ringtone from the same screen!

Once you find a ringtone in the app you like (browsing or searching), here’s how to set it:

Tap the white download button in the middle of the screen.
Tap Set ringtone.

Tap Allow to allow Zedge to download the ringtone.

Tap Settings to be taken to the page where you can allow Zedge to modify system settings, like your ringtone.
Tap Allow modify system settings.

Tap the back button to return to Zedge. You’ll see a toast notification at the bottom of the screen telling you the ringtone has been applied.

How to add your own ringtone to Android

If you find your ringtones other places — or have one you just need to add to the phone — then you’ll need to get it into the proper folder in the Android file system, and that requires a file manager app. Now, some phones have file managers on them out of the box, but if not, you’ll need to download one from the Google Play Store, like Solid Explorer. Once you’ve installed a file manager and downloaded the ringtone you want to your device, we need to move it to the proper folder:

Find and long-press your desired ringtone in the Downloads folder. After long-pressing the first ringtone, you can tap more ringtones if you wish to copy multiple sounds at once.
Tap Copy. The icon may vary from file explorer to file explorer, but on Solid Explorer, it’s the icon with two documents stacked on top of each other.
Swipe in the menu from the left side of the screen.

Tap Internal Memory.

Tap the Ringtones folder. If you want to set the sound you’re moving as a text tone or an alarm, you would tap the Notifications folder or Alarms folder.

Tap Paste.

Some phones’ Settings app will see the new ringtones immediately, but just in case yours doesn’t go ahead and reboot the phone. Upon reboot, the new ringtones will appear in the list of available ringtones. Now all that’s left to do is set the ringtone.

How to apply your custom ringtone in Settings

Open Settings.
Tap Sound. This menu may be named differently depending on your phone, with possible names being Sound and Display, Personalization, etc.

Tap Phone ringtone.

Tap the custom ringtone you added to the ringtones folder.

Tap Save or OK.

How to apply a custom ringtone to a contact

Open Contacts.
Tap the contact you wish to set a custom ringtone for.

Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner.

Tap Set ringtone.
Select the custom ringtone you added to the ringtones folder.

Tap Save or OK.

How to set a custom notification sound in Settings

Open Settings.
Tap Sound. This menu may be named differently depending on your phone, with possible names being Sound and Display, Personalization, etc.

Tap Default notification sound.

Select the custom notification sound you added to the Notifications folder.

Tap Save or OK.

Your turn

So what awesome ringtones are you setting on your phone? Share your most outrageous and hilarious ringtones in the comments below!

Updated February 2018: This article has been rewritten and condensed for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

‘Rocket League’ DLC adds DC superhero flair on March 5th

When car-soccer game Rocket League arrived last November, it included two DC Comics-inspired customization options like The Flash wheels and player banner. On March 5th, the game will get an entire roster of Justice League cars from Warner Bros., including two different Batmobiles — one from the 1989 film and the other from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the ’89 version of Batman’s sweet ride in a video game. Both it and the Batsuit from the film appeared in Batman: Arkham Knight a few years ago. Still, this is the whole group of top tier DC heroes. In addition to the custom Batman cars, Rocket League players will be able to kit out their soccer cars with decals and player banners representing Aquaman, Cyborg, Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Superman and Wonder Woman. The Flash and Wonder Woman get their own set of wheels, while the former also receives a special Speed Force Boost for getting to the soccer ball fast. The entire set of comic book customizations will run $4 as a DLC for the full game.

Via: PlayStation Blog

Source: Psyonix

South Korea won’t ban cryptocurrency trading after all

South Korea has been flirting with banning cryptocurrency trading for some time now. However, now it appears the country is backtracking. Bloomberg reports that South Korea’s regulators have indicated that they will continue to support “normal” trading of the cryptocurrency.

In late 2017, South Korea, which is the third largest market for cryptocurrency, began cracking down on Bitcoin traders. It banned initial coin offerings and stopped allowing anonymous cryptocurrency accounts. At the beginning of this year, South Korean officials announced an outright ban on cryptocurrency trading was in the works. Many cryptocurrencies were priced higher on South Korea’s exchanges than in the rest of the world, and officials in the country thought of it as gambling. There was also the fear that cryptocurrency trading could lead to tax evasion.

Apparently, South Korean regulators have worked out their concerns, because Choe Heungsik, the governor of South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service, has said that his organization is trying to normalize cryptocurrency trading. This is a big shift in rhetoric against digital currencies.

Bitcoin has undergone quite the drama over the past few weeks, as the value of the cryptocurrency plunged. According to Bloomberg, much of the loss in value was due to speculation that countries would begin banning cryptocurrency trading. Since these indications of support began to surface, however, Bitcoin has begun rebounding.

Source: Bloomberg

Lyft offers more rides to non-urgent medical appointments

Lyft is continuing its bid to become the go-to choice for non-emergency medical trips. It’s launching a new partnership with Hitch Health that will offer Lyft rides to health care appointments across the US. The basic concept is familiar, but there’s a personalized twist: Hitch offers technology that can identify the patients most likely to need a ride. In a 6-month trial run, the partnership focused on low-income, uninsured and vulnerable patients that couldn’t realistically consider driving, taking the bus or asking a friend.

As with some of Lyft’s other team-ups, patients don’t need a smartphone or even a credit card. In Hitch’s case, riders get a text message offering a pickup.

The deal helps bolster Lyft’s role in medical transportation. It also repeats a familiar competitive strategy for Lyft: matching Uber on key fronts as quickly as possible, and looking for opportunities to one-up its rival in the same space. It’s not necessarily original, but it’s hard to complain when it leads to improved health care for those who need it most.

Source: Lyft

Modders turn Nintendo Switch into a full-fledged Linux tablet

For all of its Nintendo customizations, the Switch is ultimately a tablet running a garden variety NVIDIA Tegra processor — and that means it can potentially handle the same software as other mobile devices. To prove that point, the fail0verflow team has shown a Switch running an honest-to-goodness Linux distribution. The touchscreen, networking and accelerated 3D graphics are all functioning, as evidenced by the modders tweeting from the Switch and running a benchmark. You’re not about to run Steam games on it (many Linux apps aren’t built for ARM-based chips), but you could theoretically use the Switch as a basic computer.

Fail0verflow hasn’t explained exactly how the necessary exploit works, but it may be easier than you think. The team previously noted that it’s taking advantage of a bug in the Switch’s bootrom (the fixed low-level code that runs the moment you turn the device on), which prevents Nintendo from patching it on current consoles. You don’t need a mod chip, either. The only way for Nintendo to thwart this is to release updated hardware, and that might not happen for a while.

There’s no word yet on whether or not the exploit and techniques involved will be made widely accessible. Don’t expect to try this at home, then, even if you’re willing to throw caution (and your warranty) to the wind. As it stands, this is more of a because-we-can hack than something many Switch owners would find practical. You’d probably get better value out of running homebrew games, and that’s a tougher challenge given that Nintendo can easily update its operating system to block unauthorized software.

Code execution is all the rage these days, but can your Switch do *this*? 😉 #switchnix pic.twitter.com/NMnBq61tOM

— fail0verflow (@fail0verflow) February 17, 2018

Via: The Verge

Source: fail0verflow (Twitter 1), (2)

Toyota’s next EV motor could use 50 percent less rare earth metals

Toyota has designed a magnet that halves the amount of rare earths needed in its electric cars, which could help mitigate the fall out of a looming materials shortage. Like other electric carmakers, Toyota has traditionally used neodymium, terbium and dysprosium in its electric vehicles, but it believes demand for these materials will outstrip supply come 2025. The new magnet uses the rare earths lanthanum and cerium instead, which are more plentiful and cost 20 times less than neodymium.

A neodymium shortage would be serious news for the electric vehicle market as it stands, and we’ve already seen the consequences. Last year a clampdown on illegal mining in China (which supplies 80 percent of the planet’s rare earth materials) caused neodymium prices to skyrocket by more than 30 percent in just one month. Toyota’s plans will help protect the company and keep it on track to sell 5.5 million electrified vehicles by 2030, which will certainly be achievable if its cars are also cheaper as a result of this switch.

Source: Bloomberg

Engadget giveaway: Win a pro controller package from Scuf Gaming!

Edge. That’s what helps elevate pro gamers to the next level and Scuf Gaming offers a lot of it in its competitive controllers. The company has beefed-up versions for both PlayStation and Xbox, so you can focus on natural moves with custom settings that work for you. This week, Scuf has provided us with a B.O.T.G bundle along with a second Impact controller (both for PlayStation / PC). As always, these are built to spec at Scuf workshops in the US and UK. The bundle provides limited edition swag, a custom B.O.T.G. Impact controller, cabling and thumbstick and ring & lock kits. Plus, there’s the additional Impact controller so you don’t have to roll solo.

These competitive units offer on-the-fly interchangeable thumbsticks, adjustable trigger mechanisms and four paddles for improved reach. You can play via Bluetooth or a wired set-up with improved cable retention to avoid accidental breaks in the action. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below to give your gaming a professional boost. You’ll have up to three chances at winning all the edge you’ll need for your next mission!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

• Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
• Contest is open to all residents of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
• Winners will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) SCUF Boots on the Ground Bundle ($289.95, army green controller, PS4/PC) and one SCUF Impact controller ($159.95, honeycomb black, PS4/PC).
• If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
• This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Engadget and AOL are not held liable to honor warranties, exchanges or customer service.
• The full list of rules, in all of its legalese glory, can be found here.
• Entries can be submitted until February 21st at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!

Play ‘Doom’ with motion controls on Nintendo Switch

Doom’s arrival on the Nintendo Switch back in November was something of a surprise, given the limitations of the platform, but it’s quickly captured the hearts of many a gamer. Now, developer Bethesda has improved the gameplay experience even more. Polygon notes that a patch released today enables motion controls for the game.

Once you install the update, head into the menu and toggle “motion aiming.” This allows you to aim by moving the right Joy-Con, similar to controls in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Splatoon 2.

Sean Buckley, one of our associate editors, spent some time with Doom before the game was released, and he was impressed with the port. He was surprised by the fact that “Doom on the Nintendo Switch feels identical to Doom on other platforms,” given the Switch’s hardware limits. He was enthusiastic from his limited time with the demo, and it looks like Bethesda has done the game justice.

A new update is now available for #DOOM on #NintendoSwitch, which includes Motion Aiming and multiplayer party support! https://t.co/UmNUdWunLk pic.twitter.com/GnRIj7TVip

— DOOM (@DOOM) February 20, 2018

Via: Polygon

Source: Bethesda

Existing EV batteries could be recharged five times faster

Lithium-ion batteries have massively improved in the last half-decade, but there are still issues. The biggest, especially for EVs, is that charging takes too long to make them as useful as regular cars for highway driving. Researchers from the University of Warwick (WMG) have discovered that we may not need to be so patient, though. They developed a new type of sensor that measures internal battery temperatures and discovered that we can probably recharge them up to five times quicker without overheating problems.

Overcharging a lithium-ion battery anode can lead to lithium buildup, which can break through a battery’s separator, create a short-circuit and cause catastrophic failure. That can cause the electrolyte to emit gases and literally blow up the battery, so manufacturers impose strict charging power limits to prevent it.

Those limits are based on hard-to-measure internal temperatures, however, which is where the WMG probe comes in. It’s a fiber optic sensor, protected by a chemical layer that can be directly inserted into a lithium-ion cell to give highly precise thermal measurements without affecting its performance.

The team tested the sensor on standard 18650 li-ion cells, used in Tesla’s Model S and X, among other EVs. They discovered that they can be charged five times faster than previously thought without damage. Such speeds would reduce battery life, but if used judiciously, the impact would be minimized, said lead researcher Dr. Tazdin Amietszajew.

Faster charging as always comes at the expense of overall battery life but many consumers would welcome the ability to charge a vehicle battery quickly when short journey times are required and then to switch to standard charge periods at other times.

There’s still some work to do. While the research showed the li-ion cells can support higher temperatures, EVs and charging systems would have to have “precisely tuned profiles/limits” to prevent problems. It’s also not clear how battery makers would install the sensors in the cells.

Nevertheless, it shows a lot of promise for much faster charging speeds in the near future. Even if battery capacities stayed the same, charging in 5 minutes instead of 25 could flip a lot of drivers over to the green side.

Via: Clean Technica

Source: University of Warwick

The ESA says preserving old online games isn’t ‘necessary’

The video game industry as a whole does a poor job of preserving its history — especially when it comes to online games. The Entertainment Software Association — responsible for E3; counts Electronic Arts, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo and Ubisoft as members — is petitioning the US Copyright Office to not make DMCA exemptions for abandoned online multiplayer games. It’s an effort to block the folks at the Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment in California who would like to see an exemption made to how the DMCA treats titles like the original Everquest.

The ESA’s reasoning for opposing? It thinks that letting third parties operate online servers will result, more or less, in a library or museum committing copyright breach. Giving access to the proprietary server code could hypothetically lead to preservation societies building their own infrastructure and charging for access. Thus, they’d be a direct competitor to the original developers and publishers, which is something the ESA isn’t exactly keen on.

As Torrent Freak notes, MADE already does this with offline games, charging $10 admission for all-you-can-play games. This is something the ESA doesn’t seem too happy about either, saying that non-profit organizations “enjoy no special immunity” from copyright violations. There’s also a worry that it’d lead to more people jailbreaking their consoles so they could play online from home. In its (admittedly weak) defense, the ESA says its members do work to maintain gaming’s history.

“The prevalence of reissues of older games belies any claim that game companies lack incentive to preserve older titles,” the ESA writes. Sure, but those remasters rarely if ever feature the full-fat original online multiplayer experience. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered, for instance, only shipped with a handful of the original game’s classic maps.

The ESA suggests the proposed DMCA expansion should be rejected, saying that although the Copyright Office has said “properly crafted exemption for preservationists can satisfy their needs without impacting the market,” the expansion is “far from properly crafted.”

“Although the proponents purport to seek the broadened exemption for the purpose of preservation, proponents appear to view recreational gameplay as within the ambit of ‘preservation,’” the ESA writes. “Online multiplayer gameplay is not necessary for preservation or for subsequent scholarly purposes.”

Tell that to the academics studying human behavior in online multiplayer games, or, in a few years, to someone who wants to play vanilla World of Warcraft so they can see how their parents met.

There’s a 40-plus page legal document at the source link below if you want to read the ESA’s full reasoning. The DMCA exemption was made in 2015 and needs to be renewed every three years. The ESA moved to block online games from being protected back then as well. Last October, the Copyright Office said it didn’t find “any meaningful opposition” to renewing the original DMCA exemption.

Via: Torrent Freak

Source: Entertainment Software Association (PDF)