When an event or disaster occurs that is of sufficient magnitude and general interest that everyone must get on the phone and tell everyone about it - what occurs in a public place is a ringtone symphony. You are sitting in a restaurant or concert and every phone in the place goes off all at once.
Last time there was an earthquake in SF, I was sitting in the restaurant when all f a sudden there was a ringtone symphony.
by HWM April 14, 2013