Shine On.

For those old-timers out there who can remember the commercial for Pledge (I think) but it applies to this phone - Shine On. 

The LG Shine is only my third cell phone but it just might be the best phone so far.  If you just want a phone, and don't need all the gimmicks (texting, etc) then this is it.  It's ease of use would probably be the most outstanding feature of this phone.  It is very easy to enter and call, to receive and to multi-task on.  While I mentioned above that if you just need a phone and not the gimmicks then this is the one but this phone also comes with many of those same gimmicks.  My phone is equipped with text-messaging but quite honestly I don't see the point - I mean it is a phone, if I need to contact someone I can call them.  But my kids tell me it is very simple to text on and I will admit I do enjoy my word-of-the-day which comes through on text.

I am definetly not a techy but this phone also has many other capabilities.  As mentioned above, texting is easy, but it can also act as an MP3 player, (you can purchase a chip to install and record literally hundreds of songs which you can then play on your phone, you can also purchase optional head phones).  Of last mention it has a better than average camera, which can also act as a camcorder of sorts for very short videos.  I know most all cell phones have this capability but the quality of this one bears mentioning.

Like all good things this phone does have it's problems.  The only 2 I have found so far; it's
ring tone volume and the ability to deny phone calls by accidently hitting the wrong key.  I have missed several phone calls simply because I cannot hear it ring, far too low in volume.  I have handled this problem somewhat by downloading (from a friends phone) dial tones which are loud in nature, but even they are not all that loud.  As for the second problem, I suppose it could be handled by not putting the phone in my pocket (as that is usually when I hit the wrong key - as I'm taking it out of my pocket to answer), but that quite frankly would be a real hassle.

Overall I am quite pleased with this phone and would recommend it to anyone. It's reception and volume once connected are great, it feels and looks good and it is easy to use.  Consumer Reports rated it as one of the best entries into the cell phone market this year, for AT&T service.  Which brings me to my final point - PRICE.  You can pick this phone up at Radio Shack for $49.00 - a steal by anyone's definition.