-I'm Nicole Lee, Senior Associate Editor for CNET.com and this is a first look at the LG Vortex for Verizon Wireless.
The LG Vortex is built as an entry-level Android phone similar to the LG Optimus S for Sprint and the LG Optimus T for T-Mobile.
It is a very simple touchscreen phone as you can see here, but it does so with Android 2.2.
It has up to 5 customizable home screens, and at the bottom here are the usual Android hot keys for the menu key, the home key, the back key, as well as the search key.
On the back is a 3.2 megapixel camera lens, but bear in mind there is no LED flash.
The screen is very nice and colorful as you can see here.
At the bottom row of the home screen are shortcuts to the phone dialer, the contacts list, the main menu, the messaging function, as well as the browser.
The LG Vortex comes with usual Google features.
Of course, you get access to Gmail, Google Talk, and more.
However, because it is a Verizon phone, you are stuck with Bing as your default search engine, and Bing Maps.
Other Verizon apps include the usual V CAST Music and V CAST Videos.
You also get GPS with VZ Navigator support.
Other features include stereo Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
You can even use the phone as a 3G mobile hotspot.
The Vortex comes with a few built-in apps that include Skype, Twitter, Facebook, and Kindle.
The LG Vortex is available for $80 with a new 2-year service agreement with Verizon Wireless.
I'm Nicole Lee.
This has been a first look at the LG Vortex.
