Cingular and LG Make Voting for 'American Idol' Easier Than Ever With New LG F9100 Handset

Cingular and LG Make Voting for 'American Idol' Easier Than Ever With New LG F9100 Handset

Features Include Slide-out QWERTY Keyboard for Fast and Easy Mobile IM and Text Messaging Experience

ATLANTA and SAN DIEGO, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Today LG Mobile Phones and Cingular Wireless introduced the LG F9100, the first handset from LG Mobile Phones designed to provide wireless users with a convenient instant messaging experience. The F9100 allows easy typing and constant access to all of the most popular IM applications.

In addition, LG has partnered with Cingular to feature the F9100 in promotional activities surrounding Cingular's sponsorship of the 2005 season of "American Idol." With the F9100's unique design and text messaging capabilities, and Cingular's nationwide voice and data network, it's easier than ever for viewers to be a part of the action and vote for their favorite performers during the show's fourth season.

To enhance the instant messaging experience, the F9100 features a slide- out full QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy typing. In addition, when the keyboard is open, the F9100 screen image rotates 90 degrees for IM, Text Messaging, and Address Book functions. One-touch IM allows instant access to a choice of AOL(R) Instant Messenger(TM), ICQ or Yahoo!(R) Messenger. Users can hold up to 35 open IM conversations simultaneously and participate in group chats.

The F9100 features a unique 5-way joystick for easier navigation and supports text messaging and multi-media messaging services as well as mobile Web capabilities. In addition, the F9100 has up to four-and-a-half hours of talk time, 65K color screen, voice-activated dialing, polyphonic ringtones and sound, 255-contact address book, personal organizer and 24 MB memory for storing downloaded content, such as the latest in gaming and real music ringtones by some of today's hottest artists.

"The F9100 builds strongly in the LG legacy of developing the most visually-appealing, functional handsets on the market," said Jon Maron, director of marketing communications for LG Mobile Phones. "Partnering with Cingular Wireless for the 'American Idol' promotions allows LG to continue to reach new segments of consumers across the country and introduce them to the entertainment possibilities available through LG handsets and the LG credo of Life's Good."

"LG's F9100 is a terrific handset for 'American Idol' voting and web chats," said David Christopher, vice president of product management for Cingular Wireless. "With the features of this handset and the capabilities of the Cingular Wireless network, we are introducing fans to a unique, interactive entertainment experience on their mobile phone."

Pricing and Availability

The LG F9100 is available at Cingular Wireless ( http://www.cingular.com/ ) for $99.99, after a $50 mail-in rebate.

Texting Your "American Idol" Vote Is As Easy As 1,2,3!

Texting a vote is easy! Cingular customers can text their vote using these three simple steps:

1. On any Cingular Wireless phone, select Menu and start a new message
from the Text Messaging option.
2. Type in the word VOTE, then select Options, and Send.
3. Enter the four-digit number of the contestant you want to vote for,
then select OK. (Numbers are listed during voting shows.)

Cingular offers two easy ways to text message:
- Pay as you go (automatically included with your service - $0.10 a
message)
- Select a text/instant messaging package for as low as $2.99 a month

Most Cingular phones support text messaging. Have an older phone and not sure if it is enabled for text messaging? Visit http://www.cingular.com/media/text_messaging_faqs#faq8 to find out how to enable your phone.

About Cingular Wireless

Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving more than 49 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC) and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE:BLS), has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation and the largest mobile- to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover(SM), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com/ . Get Cingular Wireless press releases e-mailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://www.cingular.com/newsroom .

About LG Electronics

LG Electronics, Inc. (Korea Stock Exchange: 06657.KS), headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, was established in 1958 and has grown into a global force in electronics, information and communications products with annual total revenues of US $29.9 billion (consolidated). With more than 64,000 employees working in 73 overseas subsidiaries and marketing units around the world, LG Electronics is comprised of four main business companies including Mobile Communications, Digital Display, Digital Media, and Digital Appliance.

The LG Mobile Communications Company provides total solutions ranging from wired and wireless handsets to telecommunication equipment. The company is a leader in the innovation and development of cutting-edge technologies in next- generation wireless telecommunications and is steadily expanding its global market share in 3G (WCDMA / CDMA2000) wireless systems.

LG Electronics' goal worldwide is to create and enable the intelligent networking of digital products that will make consumers' lives better than ever. For more information please visit http://www.lgusa.com/ .

About American Idol

Five-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL(1) was created by Simon Fuller and developed by FremantleMedia. Executive producers are Simon Fuller for 19TV and Cecile Frot-Coutaz for FremantleMedia North America. Nigel Lythgoe of 19TV and Ken Warwick of FremantleMedia North America are co-executive producers. AMERICAN IDOL is a FremantleMedia North America /19TV production for the FOX network in the USA.

About FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia Licensing Americas (FMLA) is the US licensing arm of FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. FMLA exploits FremantleMedia's many strong brands including the award winning, American Idol, the world's longest running game show The Price Is Right, the ever-popular Family Feud, and other classic game shows across multiple off- screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing.

www.fremantlemedia.com

(1) American Idol (R) 19 TV Ltd. and FremantleMedia North America, Inc. Based on the television program "American Idol" produced by FremantleMedia North America, Inc. and 19 TV Ltd. Licensed by FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide. http://www.fremantlemedia.com/

Source: Cingular Wireless

CONTACT: Lauren Butler of Ketchum, +1-404-879-9283, or
Lauren.butler@ketchum.com , for Cingular Wireless; or Melissa Elkins of LG,
+1-858-635-5329, or melkins@lge.com

Web site: http://www.cingular.com/
http://www.cingular.com/media/text_messaging_faqs#faq8
http://www.lgusa.com/
http://www.fremantlemedia.com/

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