Introduction

In the spirit of the LG Chocolate line, the CF360 is a 3G slider with a minimalist look. The stylish handset is a music playing, message-sending, video-watching machine, however it takes a little cash and a bit more memory to unleash it's potential. Luckily, there's a memory card slot and the ability to upload music from a PC if buying applications isn't in the budget.

The design is sleek and so close to being all black it's practically in camouflage. Functions match its simplistic look with less-than-colorful icons, bland browser and music player designs, and few examples of fun built-in games. But with the right Verizon service plan, users can connect on instant messaging and email services, watch video streaming and browse the high-speed Internet.

The CF360 is for consumers who want a stylish phone without the need for much functionality. For those are used to smartphones with more complex features, the phone could fail to impress.

Design

Minimalist is the perfect descriptor for the CF360. The handset has an electric blue or red outline piping down the side of the frame with matching color back-lit on multi-tap keypad labels.

The handset slides out to reveals the alphanumeric keyboard, but the keys can also be accessed without opening the phone. Users can make and end calls, view the contact list, launch instant messenger, send text and multimedia messages and go to "My Stuff" -- a personal menu of games, pictures, songs, videos, tools and applications.

The large 2.0-inch blank screen (when at rest), numeric keypad and external keys only light up when the phone is opened or when the keypad is unlocked -- giving an almost entirely black for a stylish incognito effect.

A microSD memory card slot sits atop the phone. Volume control keys on the left and charger port/headset jack, task menu, and camera activation keys on the right all blend discreetly into the black frame.

Even the 1.3-megapixel camera lens located on the back seems smaller and darker than usual, making taking a picture without the subject knowing a slightly easier task.

With just a dash of color and a hefty dose of black, there are two ways to view the CF360.

One way is to see it as a spy phone of sorts, with features discreetly hidden from view, little color, and the ability to get a few things done without calling too much attention to yourself in a crowd.

The other way to look at the design is to label it boring. There's no flash to this device, and having two color options doesn't add much pizzazz. Plus, unlocking the keypad can be a chore since the keys don't illuminate until the phone is unlocked. That's one definite drawback to having so much of the same color on one phone.

Out of the box, the LG CF360 comes with a standard Li-Ion battery, travel charger, user guide and quick reference manual.

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