LG Android phone

 I'm not an Android groupie but I think I'm getting there. This is not because I believe everything Google does is gold (I think Wave was a puddle) but because, most of the time, their technology just works. And if you don't believe me, check out LG's GW620. Yes, it uses the Android platform (albeit the older 1.5 v.) and it's honestly one of the easiest no-fuss phones I've used in a while.

  Messaging on this is a breeze with the slide-out physical QWERTY keyboard and its predictive text offers an accurate list of suggestions. Unlike other phones, it won't automatically finish the word for you but rather waits until you choose the option you want. It might seem like more work but I didn't find it a pain in the least. It neatly arranges all your text messages under different contacts (most recent first) which means you don't need to frantically scroll down a mess of texts to find that one with the info you needed.

Menu options are available on three different screens which are accessible with the slide of your finger. But you'll always have the contacts, call log, messaging and main menu icons on the home screen, and there are no menu customisation options.

It has a decent 3-inch resistive touchscreen display and handy SNS Manager (Social Networking Service) that makes sure you're connected to your favourites on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

I've had to force quit apps three times in my two weeks of using the phone. Most of the time I recall that happened when I tried to overload it with having several apps open at once, while another time it froze when a colleague tried to get on to Google Maps.

There is a 5 megapixel camera with flash, a microSD slot, a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and a useful power button on top that also serves a quick lock option so you don't end up dialling Ali when you carry it in your pocket.

At AED 1,999,  it's not as pricey as most new smartphones but you do get the feeling that it should be more than what it is. Yes, it has the wonderful ensemble of Google apps and you can get more Android goodies from the market, but the user interface feels a bit basic (or too cutesy depending on the home theme selected!) and the design isn't inspiring. But maybe it's because I've seen a fair bit of bells, whistles and flashing lights from other phones in recent months?

LG's focus was obviously on functionality with this model - and there's nothing wrong with that.