LG Fusic music phone reviewed

by Stan Horaczek, posted Jul 8th 2006 at 6:30PM

If you're thinking about picking up LG's Fusic (otherwise known as the LG550) you might want to block off some time to read Phone Scoop's incredibly thorough review. The handset, which is available now from Sprint, gets high marks for design and advanced features like excellent battery life, A2DP and an FM transmitter, but is hurt by the fact both music players (one for songs purchased from the Sprint Music Store and one for everything else) can't multitask, so if you need to check your texts, you'll have to do it in silence. The review goes on to admit that even with interchangeable faceplates and a very familiar scroll wheel, the Fusic is geared more toward the occasional listener than the audiophile, so don't go making a spot in the junk drawer just yet.

Filed under: Handsets, LG, Sprint, EV-DO

Tags: bluetooth, evdo, fusic, lg, lg550, mp3, music, sprint

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Neutral

Shoaib @ Jul 8th 2006 8:34PM

Not to be a spoil sport but uhh is there a carrier called "Spring"

(I know that it's Sprint because it says that later)

Neutral

Brian @ Jul 8th 2006 10:10PM

Its a pretty attractive phone... How about a GSM model :)...

Highly Ranked

Dario @ Jul 9th 2006 7:26PM

i have this phone. let me tell you, this phone is one of the best phones i have had... the fm transmitter makes people look at my phone in amasement. it plays about 10 hours of music. and its 1.3 megapixel camera takes pretty good pictures

Neutral

Eric D. Burdo @ Sep 22nd 2006 8:52AM

For anyone who has missed it, Joel Spolsky has a review of this as well. Worth reading if your thinking about getting one of these...

http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2006/09/19b.html

Neutral

Yoly @ Sep 22nd 2006 10:09PM

I just got the fusic phone but i have a little problem. Im trying to change the colored faceplates but i dont knowthe right way to do it. The top comes off but the rest its stuck to the phone. If you know how to do it the right way please let me know. I just go it i dont want to break it.

Neutral

Brian @ Sep 26th 2006 10:47AM

Yoly, I have the fusic, thhe face plates snap on and off, just pull it off.

Highest Ranked

amanda @ Nov 7th 2006 2:03PM

I CAN NOT GET MUSIC ON THIS DAMN THING!!!!!!!!!!
ive been trying for a week, its so annoying ive done EVERYTHING.... it doesnt show up as "removable disk" when i hook it up to my computer! what should i do! someone help me before i go craZy!!!

Neutral

Steve @ Nov 7th 2006 3:40PM

Did you install the drivers for the cable before you connected the phone to the computer? Is the phone turned on? Is the cable plugged in completely to the PC and your phone?

I don't want to assume you now all of these steps, but those are the easiest ones you can troubleshoot without looking at the computer itself.

If you didn't do the first one, you'll probably have to remove the incorrect drivers before the phone will be recognized. I have no idea which ones they'd be...

Highly Ranked

Clint @ Nov 19th 2006 11:01PM

Make sure you go to tools>USB Flash Drive and then put it in a folder named "media"

Neutral

Laura @ Dec 17th 2006 11:37AM

They only way to get your music to play on this phone, without holding it open (and really, what's THAT about) is to subscribe to an interent package. I opted NOT to do that, because, well frankly, I already pay for the internet. Now, after spending hours purchasing, downloading, and transfering music to the memory card, I find I am without music. Once again, I am carrying a phone and an MP3 player. WOW! Thanks! I got to spend an obscene amount of money for a new phone and still carry two things!! I can't listen to my music or audio books on planes or the subway. Pointless. Not to mention the menu is frustrating and to text you have to chose at least 3 options.

I miss my old phone.

Neutral

chris @ Jul 20th 2007 8:23PM

not at all if u hld down play on the front it gives you the choice between memory card and internet if you have songs on your memory card then you dont need internet dont give people wrong info cuz ur dumb

Highest Ranked

Amy @ Jan 9th 2007 3:51AM

I love my fusic. I have had it for several months and have no trouble downloading music to it (and no I did not buy the music from Sprint). You just use the included USB cable, make sure to put the phone in USB flash drive mode (from your tools menu). You can then open up whatever folder the portable media device is in from "my computer" (e.g "D", "E"....) and drag and drop MP3's from your hard drive to the media foler (make sure to drag them to the media folder or the phone will not play them)...it's real simple. Good luck, once you get used to your fusic and how to use you will love it...no need for another mp3 player. I do have one question for other fusic owners though, how's your camera? I've had many camera phones and I don't expect them to be great quality but the fusic seems to take pretty bad quality pictures, I did expect more in that dept. but hey I can't complain, it has so many other great features.

Neutral

Alecia @ Jul 7th 2007 9:27AM

Thanks Amy & Tom. Your advice really helped!

Neutral

cindy @ Jan 23rd 2008 5:37PM

Thank-you so much! I got it downloaded and everything went into tools.I never would have known to put it in media that way!I would still be trying to figure it out if it weren't for your post!

Highly Ranked

Edwin Martinez @ Jan 10th 2007 3:04AM

Well, I just got this phone the Fusic and for some reason I can only download music that has no information on it, for example from a burn cd, not originals, I have a bunch of original cds put into my computer but it doesn't let me put them on my phone, its starts down loading it but then it show me this window saying: "The request could not be perform beacuse of an I/O device error".
Can some one help me please??????

Neutral

james christopher gilman @ Jan 14th 2007 5:05PM

I cannot get music to my fusic whats up.

Highly Ranked

Tim @ Jan 15th 2007 10:26AM

Has anyone had a problem with the MP3 player skipping? My phone has a skip (maybe more of a crackle) when playing music.

Neutral

sarah @ Jan 15th 2007 6:03PM

okay i got my Fusic around June and i've been trying to download music on it but everytime the USB cord is in a window pops up, and it looks for a hardware and then it says,"The hardware was not installed because the wizard can not find the necessary software" can some1 please help me figure out what to do?

Neutral

Travis @ Jul 22nd 2007 2:45PM

Go into tools and then hit the #(pound) sign which makes your phone act like a removable storage device. You can also scroll down to the option of USB Flash Drive

Neutral

Kathryn Klebenow @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:47PM

i have a problem with the songs stopping in the middle and it starting to make a crackling noise

Neutral

diane @ Jan 26th 2007 2:46AM

how do u connect the phone to the computer??

Neutral

Ali @ Jan 26th 2007 9:58AM

i try to download music from the computer, but every time it try to install a window pops up telling me that, the hardware was not installed because the wisard cannot find necessary sofware.help

Neutral

jared @ Jan 26th 2007 2:52PM

sarah, it says that thing about the hardware because when you plug it in it trys to start it as a modem. just go to menu-tools-USB flash drive. then drag mp3s into the media folder.

Neutral

diane @ Jan 26th 2007 8:25PM

HELLPP do u need to have th microSD card to put music on ur phone???
if not can someone please tell me how to do it?! im so0o confused!

Neutral

LScott @ Feb 9th 2007 9:36AM

Anyone know how to add contacts to the phone using a computer and the USB?

Neutral

Nina @ Feb 12th 2007 11:08PM

Okay so i called costumer service today and i got my phone to have music loaded onto the memory card on my phone but they arnt MP3 files so it isnt allowing me to use the MP3 part of my phone by clicing on the front face instead i have to go into my memoery card and leave my phone open and listen to music. I want to be able to use the MP3 part of my phone but i dont no where to get the MP3 files I tryed getting my music off I-tunes but that didnt work, what web site did you use to get free music without getting it off the sprint website.. because i dont want to have to spend money on music for my phone.

Neutral

Danielle @ Feb 25th 2007 12:21PM

I just got mu Fusic for Christmas, I love the phone but I am tiered of the 4 faceplates that it comes with. Does anyone know where I can get more with different colors??

Highly Ranked

Tom @ Mar 7th 2007 10:27AM

To load music onto your phone direct from your pc use the usb cable supplied. Plug in the cord to your pc then your phone. Turn the phone on, when it tells you to load drives etc. cancel all of that. Open your phone, goto tools, and goto mass storage at the bottom. Once you've done that, the computer will find the phone as a removable storage device. Create a music directory(s) on your phone, and upload to your hearts content. When done, just unplug your phone.

Neutral

dave @ Jul 1st 2007 3:26PM

Tom, you're the man. That is all.

Thanks for your help regarding music transfers.

Neutral

Tom @ Mar 7th 2007 10:32AM

To play songs on your phone with it closed. Hold down the play button on the front of your phone. After a few seconds, you should get two options either the shopping bag icon or the memory card icon. Choose the memory card, and it will take you too the media directory which should contain your directory with the music you just finished downloading using the instructions in comment #24. Go into the music directory and pick a tune. Enjoy.

Neutral

Tom @ Mar 7th 2007 10:44AM

Has anyone else had problems with music skipping? I'm wondering if its a memory card issue.

Neutral

Tom @ Mar 7th 2007 10:53AM

Anyone else have a problem with music skipping?

Highest Ranked

chris @ Mar 9th 2007 9:06PM

I need some help. I cannot for the life of me get my data connection for phone as modem to work. Every time the pcs connection manager says "connecting" it almost immediately says "disconnecting." I get #678 for a windows error code. From what I gathered it means that the "remote computer is not responding" or something like that. I have tried everything possible. If anyone can help in any way I would really appreciate it. This thing is driving me nuts.

Highest Ranked

shelby tearoe @ Mar 12th 2007 6:05PM

i bought on of the LG fusic phones and can not figure out how to take my songs from the memory card that i have put on from the computer and set it or use it as my ring tone if anyone knows anything please let me know cause you sure would think a phone with all these options on it would beable to do that thanks

Neutral

James Bazzle @ Mar 21st 2007 2:05AM

For faceplates, if you don't like it, spraypaint it a different color and then let it dry and get it's scent out.

For music skipping, mine does it RARELY.

And to get music, if you have a computer with an "SD" slot,use the SD adapter card it comes with. That's what I do, and I have perfectly fine songs. Not only that, I don't use the cable, it's still wrapped up.

Neutral

Chamarqus @ Apr 1st 2007 9:20PM

can you download music from your computer other than the sprint store?????

Neutral

mezzyb2000 @ Apr 1st 2007 9:50PM

Anyone know of any websites that MP3 music can be downloaded for free?

Neutral

dj @ Apr 12th 2007 7:18PM

hey does anyone know how to put video's on this phone without the video freezing while the music plays?

Neutral

Kai @ Apr 16th 2007 9:16PM

Wow...I have the same problem as number 15. I'm trying to find the whole 'UBS' folder thing but I can't find it. Does the Fusic come with a CD or a floppy anyways? This is such a stupid and annoying phone...I can't believe I spent money on a MP3 phone that doesn't work.

Neutral

sam561 @ Apr 27th 2007 3:54PM

i was wondering if anyone knows how to take video off the fusic and put it on the computer. i have a video that i took on the phone that i want to put on the computer.

Neutral

LISA @ May 1st 2007 12:20PM

I HAVE THE FUSIC....I've had it for awhile and I do really like it. I just got around to downloading music onto it. I used the recommended driver and connected my usb cable and it puts the music on the phone but I have to go to TOOLS...then MEMORY CARD and then I see the songs. How can I get the songs to be seen/controlled by the front of the phone where the (IPODish) control circle is? Also anyone know how to change songs into ring tones? (First Question is the most frustrating right now) I'd appreciate any advice. thank you.

Neutral

Manda @ May 6th 2007 10:50PM

Help! So I went through and downloaded a bunch of music but when I go to play it it says that there's no content. My boyfriend put the card into his treo and it plays fine. Am I and idiot and doing something wrong?

Neutral

i need help @ May 8th 2007 10:21PM

im having troubles puting the music on my phone i need step by step directions on how to do it right now i have the music on itunes now how do i transfer it on my phone?

Neutral

need help!! @ May 8th 2007 11:06PM

i got the music to go on my phone but when i got to check if the song is there it has a red x in the right hand corner and when i click the file and it says invalid file help plz!

Neutral

help? @ May 11th 2007 7:19PM

i need help? i jus t got this fusic and i cant figure out how to download music from my computer onto my phone. can i use a mac os x and still download music from itunes onto my fusic? and where do i download this "driver" ?
thankyou email me please at flames.reunited@hotmail.com

Highly Ranked

nguyen @ May 15th 2007 12:16AM

hi, i have fusic, and its one of the best phones i had, but im getting trouble on how to make my ring tones to one of my music. I know how to play them, but i dont know how to set it as a ringtone. when i tried to add a ring tone from my "my content" it says no ringer type. I dont know what to do. Please help. =]

Neutral

AIN @ May 28th 2007 2:28AM

he sorry i cant really help you but i just wanted to say we have the same problem! if you have figured otu please let me know! and i will too, thanks! good luck

Neutral

ashley @ May 21st 2007 9:25PM

please please please if anyone knows!! i have music on my memory card but now how do i set it as a ringer? if anyone knows please respond :D

Neutral

Francheaka @ May 24th 2007 8:40AM

Ok, people get a grip. Its not a tragedy if you can't get music on your phone. Breathe in a try some simple steps. This post IS FOR MAC USERS.

If you MAC is Bluetooth enable just go to System Preferences, go to Bluetooth and then enable sharing and put the Bluetooth on the status bar. Also enable the file transfer and file exchange. After you do this, change the destination file on your Fusic to Media. (Settings, Bluetooth, Exchange Folders). Now, in the status bar select the Bluetooth icon, then go to Browse, select your phone and after you are in the browse window Send your files from the computer to the phone. It took about an hour to figure it out.

If you have original music in your computer, change them from WMA to MP3 or M4a. You cand easily do this from iTunes.

Neutral

Paladinik @ Jun 8th 2007 6:30PM

I'm running a Bluetooth-enabled iMac

I've opened Sys Pref and enabled Sharing, abd put Bluetooth on the Status Bar
I've enabled (in Settings) File Exchange and File Transfer
I've set on my Fusic the Destination Folder to Media
I've opened a Browse window from Bluetooth and browsed to an MP3 file and selected my phone as the device to transfer it to.
HOWEVER - Once I do this - I get a message saying that the Device won't accept files of this type. If I then choose send anyway - it times out and says it's failed to connect. I've tried other file type of different sizes with the same result. I have a 2GB memory card in the phone and have it configured to use the mass storage device.
I've also tried using the USB cable to send files... all that happens is the phone shuts down and restarts, with no Mass Storage device showing up for the phone showing up on the Mac. However, i have tried the USB cable with a PC and it recognizes it.

As a result of this i'm thinking two things - 1) Bluetooth file trnsfer is not possible with this phone and 2) Even with a USB connection - file transfer is not possible with a Mac.

Any ideas? (Thanks for your help , by the way - so far your post was the only one i've found that seemed to deal with music transfer from a Mac - I just wish i could have had it work for me)

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