Sprint and LG Electronics 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 network, Rumor by LG provides quick access to instant messaging services including AIM, MSN and Yahoo! as well as several popular social networking communities, including Facebook and Xanga.
Rumor by LG ifeatures include a 1.3 megapixel camera/camcorder with a 2x digital zoom, Bluetooth technology and an MP3 player. The microSD memory card slot has a 4GB card capability. Rumor by LG will be priced at $79.99 with a two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate.
Send Messages in a Flash and Stay Connected When It Matters Most with RumorTM by LG®, Exclusively from Sprint
Rumor by LG Easily Manages Voice, Entertainment and Data Needs - Including Text Messages, IM, Email and Social Networking - On an Affordable Handset
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 SMS, 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.
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. Rumor by LG 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 and 1-800-SPRINT1 on October 21, at Best Buy on October 28 and in all Sprint retail channels on November 4. Customers can already register to be among the first to purchase Rumor by LG at www.sprint.com/rumor.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks serving 54 million customers at the end of the second quarter 2007; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
About LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc.
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $48.5-billion (2006 consolidated worldwide revenues) global force in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a wide range of digital appliances, digital display and digital media products, and mobile phones under LG’s “Life’s Good” marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.lgusa.com.
About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company
LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is the world’s leading provider of UMTS (WCDMA), CDMA and GSM handsets, which have been designed to improve the value of customer life. With a total range of wired and wireless solutions, the company is rapidly establishing a global presence and growing its international market share in 3G handsets. For more information please visit www.lgusa.com.