Hasta La Gadget!

Sprint’s LG Rumor was a solid voice and texting phone when it hit the market in late 2007. Since then, it had been surpassed by the Samsung Rant in features.

Now LG is striking back with the Rumor2, the next generation of the popular messaging device. Like the original, the Rumor2 features a sliding QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth, and a 1.3-megapixel camera. But this time around, in addition to revised styling, it includes a QVGA (320-by-240-pixel) display instead of the old 220-by-176 LCD panel. The Rumor2 also plays music over stereo Bluetooth, has a built in GPS radio that supports Sprint Navigation, and can hook into Microsoft Exchange Server and Lotus Notes e-mail accounts.

With the Rumor2, Sprint will offer the Everything Messaging plan. It pairs 450 voice minutes, unlimited nights (beginning at 7 pm) and weekends, and unlimited text and picture messaging for $49.99 per month plus taxes and fees. The Rumor2 will be available online for $49.99 (with two-year contract and after rebates) beginning March 15th, and will hit Sprint retail stores on April 19th.