Sprint just announced what has the potential to be a pretty hot phone this year: the Rumor. This not-quite-a-smartphone has a shiny, curvaceous exterior and a slide-out QWERTY for typing text messages, emails, and IMs, which are possible on the built-in AIM, Y!, and MSN clients. It also has GPS and a 1.3-megapixel camera.

It's a pretty slick package, one that aims squarely at similar phones such as the Helio Ocean that also have robust web and communications features without the office programs and installable apps of full-on smartphones. The best part? It's set to hit for a mere $80, which should put phones of this type in the hands of a lot more people. Look for it to drop by the end of the month. — Adam Frucci

Via CrunchGear