Sprint (NYSE: S) and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) today announced the upcoming availability of a new, affordable wireless phone with a full QWERTY slide keyboard for easy text, email and instant messaging ? Rumor by LG. Operating on the Sprint Vision™ network, Rumor by LG provides quick access to instant messaging services including AIM, MSN and Yahoo! as well several popular social networking communities, including Facebook and Xanga.
Available in two color options, white with silver or black with blue, this device offers one touch access to messaging through a softkey from the idle screen and it automatically populates the messaging menu when the slider is opened. With easy access to Sprint Mobile eMail to check and send mail from multiple accounts through familiar providers including Yahoo! AOL, Gmail and Microsoft Live, Rumor by LG is the perfect device for anyone who needs to stay in touch on the go.
Sprint offers a variety of messaging options beyond text including Voice (SM)S, which allows customers to record a voice message and send it to any mobile phone, email address, or landline phone just like a text message, and text to landline, which allows Sprint subscribers to send a text message to a landline phone where it is automatically converted to a voice message.
The number of Sprint customers using text messaging has increased by more than 20 percent since the beginning of this year. Sprint's unlimited text messaging plans are very affordable at just $10 for individuals or $20 for families.
"We are excited to introduce Rumor by LG because it is great-looking, easy-to-use and very affordable," said Danny Bowman, Sprint's vice president of product development. "This device makes it convenient to stay connected to the office or social networks. Rumor will be an ideal gift for teens, parents or busy professionals during the upcoming holiday season."
"In 2006 over 18 billion text messages were sent on a monthly basis in the US, according to CTIA the Wireless Association. Text messaging has become a mainstream vehicle for communication," said Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president of product strategy and marketing at LG. "We are proud to partner with Sprint to bring our consumers the Rumor by LG. This multifaceted device not only makes text messaging effortless with its full QWERTY keypad, but also includes the latest in social networking options, such as Facebook, IM and email."
To personalize the text messaging experience, Rumor by LG offers the ability to assign "text tones" to address book entries for audible identification of text message senders. Preloaded with Sprint Navigation, Rumor by LG provides full-feature GPS navigation including voice and on screen turn-by-turn driving directions and more than 10 million business listings.
Rumor by LG is packed with essential features including a 1.3 megapixel camera/camcorder with a 2x digital zoom, Bluetooth® technology and an MP3 player. It works with Sprint Music Manager, available through an easy software download, to give users the power to quickly transfer unprotected songs from a PC to the handset and manage songs on a PC through an intuitive interface. Music-lovers will also value Rumor by LG's microSD memory card slot with 4GB card capability.
Rumor by LG measures 4.3" x 2.0" x 0.7" and weighs just 4.13 ounces. This device will be priced at $79.99 with a two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate. It will be available at www.sprint.com, 1-800-SPRINT1 and Best Buy in late October and in Sprint retail stores on November 4. Customers can register to be among the first to purchase Rumor by LG at www.sprint.com/rumor.
