Along with the holiday season, comes the biggest shopping season of the year.
As usual, the latest gadgets will be up for grabs. But, it actually means shoppers must race to the stores as early as possible to get the best deals and beat the long lines.
What many do not know, however, is that some of the best purchases can be made online - without the hassle of trying to find a parking spot at the mall.
In case a new cell phone is one of the gadgets on the top of your holiday wish list, take a look at the mosquito ringtone - one of the newer tricks on the market.
It can be downloaded from the same Web sites that host other cell phone rings.
There is something unique about this ringtone, though. Many adults can't hear it. It buzzes at 17 kilohertz, meaning that those who have lost hearing over the years will not notice the high-pitched sound.
Students, on the other hand, are able to hear the ringtone - as long as their hearing has not been affected.
"A friend had it and played it, and it hurt my ears," said undeclared freshman Brad Williams, of Mesa Community College.
Williams said he received the ringtone after a friend sent it to him.
"When I want to make people mad, I use it," Williams said. He also said his phone went off in class once and the teacher took no notice of the noise.
While the clever student may use the ring to escape teacher detection, younger comrades will usually be aware of incoming calls and text messages.
Sociology junior Daniel Larios said he thinks the idea behind the mosquito ringtone is interesting.
Larios is a sales representative at the T-Mobile location in Mesa's Fiesta Mall, and said he remains open-minded to trying it.
"I would try it out. If it's a good idea and kids are using it in class, why not?"
Reach the reporter at: stephanie.naufel@asu.edu.
