LG VX6000 phone

Review:
The VX6000 from LG uses Verizon's all-digital CDMA network to offer its mobile phone service, and has a handy CMOS digital camera built-in, along with e-mail, Internet and Pix Messaging capabilities. It also comes with a desktop charger and a belt clip and plays a cute little ditty when you turn it on.

The phone is loaded with other features, too: it's 1XRTT-capable, has a seven-line color display, is E911-capable, lets you download pictures, ringers and games, has voice-activated dialing, is Web browser-capable and lets you send and receive TXT messages, to name a few.

But most people would probably purchase this compact clamshell-style phone for its camera features, which include the ability to insert borders around photos and send them with an attached sound bite. However, without reading through the included manual, you likely won't stumble onto all the uses and features, as the design is somewhat less user-friendly than similar models we tested. But if you're one who likes to spend some time reading instruction manuals before getting started, this phone will keep you busy for quite a while, as there are plenty of bells and whistles to find out about.

And a note to Verizon: I live in a ground-level apartment, and no, I couldn't hear you now with your phone, so send the Verizon guy out again to my area, please.

Reviewed by Monica Hamilton