Verizon's Voyager multimedia phone (San Diego Transcript column)

The Voyager from LG is one of Verizon's best phones, particularly for multimedia use. While it looks like an iPhone, it's totally different and, in some ways, that's good. It has a large touch screen on the front and hinges open like a tiny notebook computer to reveal a second screen, stereo speakers, and a qwerty keyboard. It has a 2MB camera, uses Verizon's 3G data network (but no WiFi) and connects to all of Verizon's services including V Cast mobile TV, music and Internet browsing. It has the best form factor of any phone; it's compact and easy to hold, yet sits on a disk for listening to music and watching videos and TV, and has a great keyboard for e-mail and messaging. $299 with a 2-year plan.