LG Scoop AX260

The Scoop is basically Alltel's version of the LG Rumor for Sprint, and in design and performance it's pretty much the same as that excellent device. A relatively thick, rounded little candy bar style phone, the 4.3 ounce Scoop measures 4.3 by 2 by 0.7 inches (HWD) and features a slide out QWERTY keypad, whose screen promptly rotates when you pull out the keys.

The Scoop runs on Alltel's CDMA 1X network, which isn't 3G but is widely available across Alltel's coverage area. A very good voice phone, the Scoop has middling reception, but its audio quality is solid.

Calls through the earpiece and speakerphone are quite loud, though there is a bit of distortion at top volume. Transmissions through the microphone came through with only slight background noise.

The Scoop paired easily with our Aliph Jawbone headset Bluetooth voice quality was okay, but there was noticeable background hiss. Battery life was impressive, delivering more than 5 hours of talk time.

Ringtones are loud, but the vibrating alert was of middling strength. With the Scoop, the real fun is in the messaging. Slide open the keypad, and you're immediately presented with the option to send text messages or log in to AIM or Yahoo! Instant Messenger.

The IM client, from OZ, runs in the background but doesn't support entire AOL buddy lists, just "mobile" buddies. There's also an excellent $2.99 per month e-mail client from Seven that supports AOL, Gmail, POP/IMAP mail, and any Microsoft Exchange Server with Outlook Web Access enabled.

Messages come through as text only, but the interface is sharp and attractive. The phone even cobbles together a quickie address book from the names on your recently received messages. The Scoop is sort of a poor man's BlackBerry.