• April 1, 2008

Ringtone developer Vringo has launched a new Facebook application that lets users import friends' profile photos to their mobile phones. The photos are then matched with friends' phone numbers. So when they call each other, their friends' photos will appear on their mobile screens as form of visual caller ID.

Vringo for Facebook is initially being offered free and is available on BlackBerry smartphones and any Windows for Mobile device. It will eventually be offered on a wider selection of handsets.

The Facebook app is an offshoot of Vringo's main video ringtone service, which allows subscribers to send video clips, or "Vringos," to friends announcing their call. People can choose clips licensed from content partners including the Discovery Channel, Universal Music Group and Turner Broadcasting System.

--Mark Walsh