Stephen Wolfram developed the Mathmatica computer algebra system, wrote A New Kind of Science, and just about blew everyone's minds with his computational universe. What's he doing for an encore? Custom ring tones.
WolframTones (tones.wolfram.com) allows anyone to use Mathmatica's muscle to instantly generate one-of-a-kind sounds for a cell phone. Start by selecting a musical style (rock, hip hop, classical), then specify secondary parameters, such as pitch or specific instruments. Wolfram's algorithms will spin your composition into a unique beat, complete with a visual representation of its computational makeup (cellular automaton pattern, in Wolfram-speak). The price per download: two bucks. Who knew computational irreducibility could be so funky?
- Matt Brady
START
My Summer Home Is an Ice Station
Should I Bank My Baby's Cord Blood?
Math Rocks!
