Is a Ringtone as an SMS Notification obnoxious?

[pseudoware]

I was watching TV with someone that had like a 10-15 second sound for SMS notifications on their phone - something I'd think most people would typically use as a ringtone for calls. This person was exchanging texts with someone, and I commented that maybe a short, abrupt tone might be more appropriate for texts.

Naturally, this gave rise to a greater conversation - personal notification/ringtone choice vs how one's phone behavior affects others around them, etc. Others in the room gave their input, and we had a "spirited" discussion.

So, what's your take?

 

[anon(5630457)]

Oh good god, no. An SMS notification is supposed to be short, 1-2 seconds tops. There's no need for a 15 second ringtone for a notification sound, especially if one gets a ton of text messages.

 

[Morty2264]

Interesting discussion!

I actually can't handle "long" notification/SMS tones (and I put "long" in quotations, because even 2-3 seconds is too long for me). All of my notifications are short; and I try to keep them not super abrupt-sounding so they don't terrify me when they go off randomly.

I actually find myself using different platform/manufacturer tones (ie, LG tones, BlackBerry tones) for contacts. I like keeping things together like that.

But for regular SMS (not my mom, boyfriend, or brother) - Zelda tone.

 

[ManiacJoe]

Oh good god, no. An SMS notification is supposed to be short, 1-2 seconds tops. There's no need for a 15 second ringtone for a notification sound, especially if one gets a ton of text messages.

Exactly, this!

How the sounds effect others is of great importance. Vibrate mode is there for a reason.

 

[Tim1954]

Exactly. When in company, put the phone on silent mode.

 

[Morty2264]

Exactly, this!

How the sounds effect others is of great importance. Vibrate mode is there for a reason.

Absolutely. When I'm at work or in the company of others, I frequently put my phone on Vibrate. People don't need to hear your notification tones going off every other minute.

 

[orangecroc]

In my opinion, most certainly. I haven't used an audio ringtone on my phone for calls or notifications for years. Audio alerts on my phone are now restricted to alarms.

 

[Morty2264]

In my opinion, most certainly. I haven't used an audio ringtone on my phone for calls or notifications for years. Audio alerts on my phone are now restricted to alarms.

I try to make my notifications as short as possible. And if I'm in a group, or in the staff room at work, stc, my phone goes on Vibrate. One coworker has a long alert for incoming text messages and it's kind of annoying to hear every couple of minutes.

As you've written, non-audio notifications are often the way to go.

 

[Natalen]

if the melody is good, so you can listen