Introduction

Music phones were supposed to be in 2005 what camera phones were in 2004, blockbuster hits. However initial attempts by manufacturers were met with lukewarm enthusiasm, as first generation music phones were flawed with functionality, song limitations, and connectivity restrictions.

This month, the new LG Fusic hopes to fair better. Ushering in the next generation of music phones, it adds features previously missing in former devices while improving ease-of-use and performance. Looking, feeling, and playing like a portable music player, the Fusic offers instant access to the Sprint Music Store. Having access to full songs over-the-air, customers can download tracks onto microSD cards and play them through the radio or car stereo from the integrated FM transmitter.

Able to use wireless headsets, the Fusic is also one of the first devices to incorporate A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) Bluetooth for wireless stereo headphones. Coupled with Sprint Power Vision services, the Fusic has fast access to information with On Demand and Sprint TV, boasting more than 50 live and prerecorded channels.

Exclusive to Sprint, the Fusic is the latest breed of music phones, bringing not just top-notch audio features, but going further by integration innovative technological advances and online services, such as Sprint Music Store and Sprint TV, for a seamless experience.

Design

Being a music phone, the Fusic looks oddly similar to an iPod, featuring a boxy exterior with right angles and perpendicular lines. Rather stiff and unappealing, the Fusic goes against current mobile trends of sleeker rounded curves or edgy angular lines. On the contrary, the Fusic projects a rather dull boring feel. Fortunately users can liven up the handheld with faceplate covers. Packaged with Blue, Pink, Green, and Black colors, consumers can change the Fusic depending on their mood.

On the front panel, a color external screen allows users to glance at frequented information and control the MP3 player through the external navigational pad below. Up / Down, Rewind, Play / Pause, and Fast Forward Keys let music listeners conveniently control tracks without having to open the phone. Slightly awkward in design, the directional keys don't actually depress like the middle key, causing overly-touchy actions that cause frequent mis-presses and scrolling

The external speaker port is located on the bottom right corner. When the Fusic is flipped open to watch streaming videos, the speaker points in the opposite direction of the internal screen, blasting sound away from the watcher. Rather ineffectively placed, consumers will unfortunately need headphones to clearly hear audio from streaming videos.

Turned around, the lens to the 1.3-megapixel camera captures photos up to 1280 x 960 px in resolution. A built-in flash nearby ensures consumers can get shots in low light conditions.

The left and right edges integrate convenient keys for shortcuts. The left contains a microSD expansion card port, Volume Keys to adjust the ring and voice volumes during standby and calls, and a Voice Services Key to let users dial contacts or record voice memos. On the right, a Camera Key lies below a 2.5mm Headset Jack for handsfree communication or private music listening. The Charger and Accessory Jacks are located on the bottom side.

Flipped open, the Fusic reveals a brilliant internal screen. Ideal for watching streaming videos, the 262K-color LCD is capable of displaying clips at a large 176 x 220 px resolution. The 5-Way Keypad is flanked on both sides by Left and Right Keys, and dedicated Speaker and Camera Keys. A soft touch numeric keypad illuminates a light blue glow in the dark for convenient text messaging through T9 predictive text.

Out of the box, the LG Fusic comes with a Standard 1000 mAh Li-Ion Battery, AC Travel Charger, USB Cable, Stereo Headset, Accessory Faceplates (Blue, Pink, Green, and Black), 64 MB microSD card with SD Adapter, Sprint Power Vision Guide, and User Manual.

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