Is your father looking for a great touch-screen phone but doesn't want to be saddled with AT&T's spotty service? Lost in the Apple iPhone PR machine was a great new offering from LG called the Verizon enV Touch. The new device is a touch screen but also offers a full QWERTY keyboard. I've been playing with the device the past few days and was impressed by it mostly because of the great keyboard and some of the excellent software that Verizon has from add-ons like their excellent GPS service and music subscription service V Cast Music (with Rhapsody). The enV Touch also has visual voice mail which is a big plus with messages that you can store via a SD card if you have important messages that need to be cataloged (something the iPhone does not boast despite their recent software upgrade).

The gadget provides a little over 24 hours in battery life with ultra-heavy usage. Full webpage browsing is a major plus and loads pages fast with Verizon's impressive EV-DO data network. The phone itself has a loud and crisp handset and very easy to use. The touch screen works great with a dummy-proof main menu, and the phone flips out to reveal a full keyboard and three categories with communication, multimedia, and settings & tools. Things like YouTube videos work flawlessly and GPS can be a life saver to get around town when you are not familiar with an area. The sound on the phone is immense both for music and great speakerphone when you need your hands free. The camera, featuring a Schneider Kreuznach 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, shoots great shots and is probably one of the best ones out there on a mobile device. Three games are included on the base model of the phone with Tetris, Resident Evil, and Need for Speed Undercover there for you when you are looking to kill some time.

While everything on the gadget is above adequate to superior, where the enV Touch excels is the keyboard. If you text a lot, this is the phone for you. If you are looking to wow your dad with a gift he will be able to use for a long while you'll want to take him to a Verizon store to check it out for himself. You may end up walking away with one for yourself once you start to play with it too.

Here are the technical specs of the device:

Product Features

* Touchscreen-enabled multimedia phone opens to reveal QWERTY keyboard and large 3-inch screen
* Access V Cast Music (with Rhapsody) and Video servicse via fast EV-DO data network; GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions; Visual Voice Mail
* 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD expansion to 16 GB; access to personal email and instant messaging
* Up to 4.3 hours of talk time, up to 408 hours (17 days) of standby time
* What's in the Box: handset, battery, charger, quick reference guide, user manual

Dimensions

* Size (LWH): 4.52 inches, 2.16 inches, 0.66 inches
* Weight: 4.61940035273369 ounces

Product Features

* Network Compatibility: CDMA