LG KP500

Wished-for at giving the masses an affordable touch screen phone, the KP500 is nevertheless an attractive handset that doesn't feel at all cheap. The first thing that strikes you about the Cookie (after you've stopped laughing at the name) is how similar it looks to the LG Renoir -- but its features are a different story.
On the back of the KP500 there's a 3-megapixel camera, but that's about it when it comes to features -- there's no 3G or Wi-Fi, for example, but what you do get is a cute touch screen interface that's similar to and, in some respects, even better than the Renoir's.
A series of widgets are on offer, such as an on-screen clock or memo pad, which you can drag on to the KP500's homepage. Brush the screen to the side and you can access shortcuts to contacts and other apps, similar to HTC's TouchFLo interface on the Touch, and something the Renoir doesn't have.
We were told that the KP500 is due to launch in the UK at the end of this month and that it should cost around £100 -- a very competitive price when you consider how prohibitively expensive most touch screen phones are.
The bottom line is that the KP500 is certainly no iPhone, but if a touch screen is top of your feature list, it offers a relatively competent experience. There's an on-screen QWERTY keypad, handwriting recognition and an automatically rotating screen -- nothing revolutionary, but more than you get on most pay as you go phones.

Key features of the LG KP500

• Camera: 3.15 MP, 2048×1536 pixels
• Data Storage: microSD, up to 8GB
• Features: GPRS, EDGE, Bluetooth, USB
• Ringtones: Polyphonic (64 channels), MP3
• Entertainment: MP3/MPEG4 video player, Organiser
• Weight: 89 grams
• Stand-by: Up to 350 h
• Talk time: Up to 3 h 30 min

Media
• FM Radio
• Music Player
• Video Player