The Innovative LG Rumor, published in late October 2007 by Sprint, which sold well. It is a affordable phone with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, good looking and sturdy construction. 1.5 years after, LG and Sprint have launched the LG Rumor Rumor 2. The new model retains the same great form factor and key features such as built-in GPS, 1.3 megapixel camera and microSD expansion slot. What are the differences between the LG and the LG Rumor Rumor 2? Apart from the glossy casing, the LG Rumor 2 adds fourth row of keys dedicated to the numbers, increasing the resolution of the QVGA screen, and to wireless A2DP stereo Bluetooth. Also aesthetically LG Rumor 2 now has a removable back plate and phone package includes a plate design, in addition to a plain one. Still missing in Rumor 2 compared to the Samsung Rant is Sprint 3G EV-DO and services using the network-data such as Sprint TV and Sprint Music Store.
The introductory price of $ 49.99 after a mail-in rebate with a 2 years contract. This phone is available in two colors: vibrant blue and black titanium.
Design and Ergonomics
Aesthetically speaking, the LG Rumor looks like a glossy version 2 of the original Rumor and is slightly longer and wider than the Rumor. Certainly seems more appealing in the new cabinet and the back plate is now the designer with interchangeable plates. Fortunately, the back plate doesn’t have a shiny surface, so its not slippery. While the slider is closed down, the 2 LG Rumor looks like a candy bar phone feels comfortable in the hand. The front line numbers are huge and easily to utilize, but the 4-way directional ring is narrow and slippery. Open the phone to reveal the QWERTY keyboard, which is one of the best we’ve used keyboards on a phone. The addition of the row of keys is useful when dialing, text and navigate through menus. This is definitely a big improvement over the original rumors that often requires too many clicks to perform the functions. The QWERTY keyboard has a normal smiley face and offers a dedicated key.
Features and applications of the phone
As though the original rumor, the LG Rumor 2 is a digital dual band CDMA phone and has only 1xRTT data and no EV-DO support. The phone receives a great reception, but the voice quality cannot compete with the original Rumor. Incoming sound muffled voice and outgoing voice sounds digitized. We tested the phone with a Bluetooth headset that didn’t help much the voice quality either. Through the Plantronics Voyager 835, voice input was better than the telephone handset, but the voice output is very distorted. When working with Cobra CBTH2 Bluetooth headset, the rumor had decent voice outgoing voice calls, but it was not clear and had a low volume.
The LG Rumor 2 has support for most services including call handling caller ID, call forwarding, call waiting and three-way call. Rumor 2s database of contacts you can store up to 600 contacts and 7 numbers for each contact entry. You can assign speed dial numbers 98, and special photo identification and stamps. 2 The Rumor has a great voice command application that does an excellent job not only in voice dialing, but also the search for names, numbers and web site bookmarks. The voice controls Bluetooth headphones worked well in our tests. Another applications and tools include Calendar, World Clock, Calculator, Voice Memo, Notepad, Unit D-Day and the converter.
Conclusion
The LG Rumor 2 feels like the original Rumor sleek clothes. While digging your keyboard Roomies added row and the number of higher-resolution screen, we found the phone remains largely similar to the original Rumor. For the budget-minded text addicts, the LG Rumor 2 is a good option at an affordable price. But for current users of LG Rumor and those who want EV-DO for faster Web browsing, tethering, Sprint TV, Sprint Music Store support, theres no reason to get the Rumor 2.
Pro: Sleek and cool looking as the original Rumor. Keyboard very impressive and well received. Goodwill messages of support and reasonable performance GPS.
Con: Not so much modification from the original rumor. Isn’t very good voice quality. Has decreased the battery life of the original. This LG phone cannot record video and play AAC music playback.
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