The tone became widely recognised through Apple's iPhone, where a marimba-style ring became closely associated with receiving calls. As smartphones spread, the sound moved beyond handsets into online videos, memes and short-form edits, where it works as instant shorthand for a phone ringing. Creators still reach for it because almost everyone recognises it immediately, even without seeing a phone on screen. Its short, clean pattern also makes it easy to drop into a scene without overpowering dialogue or music.