Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6503 in Cell Phone Accessories
• Color: Black
• Brand: LG
• Model: CU720
• Released on: 2007-11-12

Features

• Quad-band slider phone with high-speed 3G network connectivity for multimedia streaming
• Innovative multi-angle vision LCD stays hidden when inactive; brushed stainless steel body
• 2-megapixel camera with video capture; MicroSD expansion; Bluetooth connectivity with music streaming
• Up to 3 hours of talk time, up to 240 hours (10 days) of standby time; measures 3.93 x 1.99 x 0.59 inches (WxHxD)
• Includes: Battery, Charger and User Manual

Amazon.com Product Description
Combining glamorous form with advanced multimedia function, the LG CU720 Shine is available exclusively from AT&T. It can access AT&T's tri-band HSDPA/UMTS high-speed 3G network, which makes it easy to download music purchased from AT&T Mobile Music, stream tunes from Napster and eMusic, and watch video streamed from CNN and Comedy Central via AT&T's Cellular Video. It also supports AT&T's Video Share service, which offers a one-way video stream during a mobile-to-mobile phone call. This elegantly minimalist slider phone has a unique, reflective mirror finish that activates into a brilliantly colorful LCD screen and a brushed stainless steel housing. Other features include a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, MicroSD memory card expansion, Bluetooth connectivity for both communication headsets and stereo music streaming, mobile email and instant messaging, and quad-band GSM network capability for global roaming.

AT&T Service

The stylish LG CU720 Shine has a brushed stainless steel body that slides up to reveal a blue backlit keypad.

The large 2.2-inch screen is hidden when inactive and offers multi-angle vision technology for easy viewing.

This AT&T phone can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's 3G mobile broadband data network, which is available in most major metropolitan areas. The AT&T 3G network uses the dual-band UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900 MHz network (also known as WCDMA), making it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services with speeds up to 3.6 Mbps. It also gives AT&T the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services.

In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it's fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go. You'll also enjoy quad-band GSM connectivity, which allows you to make calls in more than 190 countries and access data applications in the more than 135 countries where AT&T offers international data roaming.

With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Video Share service, which enables you to send a live, one-way video stream to another compatible phone during a standard voice call. The service also allows you to switch the direction of the video stream during the same phone call. (Customers must be in an area served by the company's 3G network and have a Video Share-enabled phone.)

It's packed with multimedia streaming and download capabilities. AT&T's Cellular Video (CV) service features content from CNN, The Weather Channel, iFilm, Comedy Central and exclusive premium content from HBO and much more. And you get access to AT&T Mobile Music, which enables you to buy tracks while on the, access the Napster subscription music service, stream music video, discover what's playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what's hot with The Buzz music news portal.

The handset is XM Radio Mobile-capable, so you can enjoy streaming live digital radio as well. It's also MobiTV capable, which enables you to stream or download video content from providers ranging from MSNBC, ABC News Now, and CNN. MobiRadio lets you listen to more than 50 channels of digital radio. (A MEdia Max subscription bundle is recommended for accessing AT&T's Internet, video, and music services.)

The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more.

Phone Features
The centerpiece 2.2-inch screen is hidden when inactive, a key feature to save battery life or when keeping a low profile is a must, and it has a 240 x 320-pixel resolution and 262K color support. The multi-angle vision technology enables you to view display contents from all different angles. A five-way navigation joystick and is found just beneath the screen, and it's joined by two softkeys. The top of the phone smoothly slides up to reveal the light blue backlit numeric keypad. The unit's advanced camera lens and flash can be found on the backside, just above the battery cover.

The CU720 shines as a mobile digital music player, with compatibility for MP3, WMA, AAC, and AAC+/eAAC+ files, customizable equalizer, playlist creation and management, and large capacity storage via MicroSD memory cards (up to 4 GB in size). Synchronize music from your PC (including music files from online services such as Napster and eMusic) via USB 2.0. The phone also offers USB mass storage capabilities for storing your most important documents and files.

This phone provides Bluetooth version 1.2 wireless connectivity, and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, object push, file transfer, and audio/video remote control. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server. Send contacts, calendar events, and pictures/videos/voice memos wirelessly. The phone stores up to 20 Bluetooth pairings.

The two-megapixel camera on the back of the phone has a flash and includes a 2x zoom, in-phone editing capabilities, and video capture for saving or sending via MMS.

The CU720 Shine is also great as a digital camera/camcorder, with a 2-megapixel resolution for still images (including five resolution settings ranging from 160 x 120 to 1600 x 1200 pixels). Other imaging features include a 2x zoom, integrated flash, brightness and white balance controls, multi-shot capability, self timer, and an in-phone image editor (for resizing, cropping, rotating, and adding color effects). You can capture video in two resolutions--320 x 240 (QVGA) and 176 x 144 (QCIF)--and the phone can record small files up to 42 seconds for sending via MMS or as long as you have capacity on an optional MicroSD memory card for saving.

In addition to voice calls, text messaging, and MMS capability, the phone is also compatible with mobile email from services including Yahoo!, AOL, Windows Live, AT&T Yahoo!, and BellSouth, as well as instant messaging (IM) from AIM, Windows Live, and Yahoo!. The CU720 also comes stock with a built-in web browser for downloads and mobile web browsing via MEdia Net (with WAP 2.0, WML, iHTML, xHTML, and WCSS compatibility). T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for entering text on handsets, is built into the unit--a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

Other features include:

• One-touch speakerphone
• Speaker-independent voice commands
• Voice memo recording (MMS and general modes)
• 10 unique ringtones, vibrate and silent modes, and music ringtone support
• Address Book with 500 contacts--each stores 5 numbers, 2 e-mail addresses, & a picture ID
• Flight mode
• USB charging via PC
• Tools: Alarm Clock, Calendar, Notepad, Calculator, Tip Calculator, World Clock, Tasks, Stop Watch, Unit Converter, Date Finder, D-Day Counter
• Java 2.0 support for application and game downloads

Vital Statistics
The LG Shine weighs 4.28 ounces and measures 3.93 x 1.99 x 0.59 inches. Its 900 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of talk time, and up to 10 days of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as 850/1900 WCDMA (3G) frequencies.

Customer Reviews

I am happy with this phone!
I waited about 3 weeks for this phone but it was well worth it. I was overdue for an equipment upgrade via AT&T but I really couldn't find a phone with style and function until I came upon the Shine. It's not a very popular phone and I decided to take a chance.

I know it's hard to tell the size by just looking at pictures but to give you a comparison, I had the first gen black razor. The shine basically has the same width, and height dimensions only it's a wee bit thicker but not by much at all. I was so used to the compact size of the razor that I didn't want a bulky smartphone.

This phone has some weight to it, which by my standards gives me the feeling of a quality phone and not made of cheap plastic. Hopefully this will last me at least until my next upgrade.

Navigation with the joystick takes some time to get used to, but the good thing about it is, you do really need to give it a firm push downwards to select. I haven't come across an issue where I wanted to go left, right, up or down and the joystick input it as a mistake "push/select."

I wish you could come up with your own quick options with the joystick instead of what is pre-programmed already. i.e. toggle up and you get a new message for texting. That really doesn't make sense because you have to slide open the phone? Go right and you get your AIM/Yahoo Mess. log on options. I will probably never use this feture. Down is your phone book and left is "my stuff." You do have control to customize 12 quick access options with the soft key on the right which somewhat makes up for not being able to customize the joystick.

One issue I read was the mirror finish of the screen during the daytime. Yes, it is harder to see and to read your screen in direct sunlight but cupping your hand to shade the screen shouldn't deter one from such a flaw. I had the same visibility issues with my razor as well.

When your phone rings you don't need to slide it open, you can just press the soft key on the left that says "accept." The problem I have is after I finish with the call, I feel somewhat lost in a sense that I'm used to either 1. closing the phone to end the call or 2. pressing an 'end' button. The shine's display turns off after a few seconds and it's a mirror finish so when I'm done talking I look at the phone and think, "How do I end this call??" Basically, I have learned you just let the other person end the call and you do not have to do anything.

AT&T's media is okay but the screen's resolution isn't that great at all. I think it's a good option to have if you are bored in a waiting room or to kill some time, but the picture quality isn't anywhere near that of an iphone. It's very choppy. Browsing the web on G is pretty fast for checking sports scores. I found that it came in handy.

I would highly suggest a clearshield or some sort of cover/protector to prevent scratches on the screen and the back metal plate. I have heard that if you get scratches on the front screen it shows up A LOT with the mirror finish.

Ringtones absolutely SUCK. I find that ringtone volume is loud enough. The vibe feature is very strong. Cool feature -- you can opt to have a lady SPEAK the numbers dialed instead of beeps. Something a little different. The keypad is cramped and I do hit several buttons while texting.

Even though I pointed out a lot of small flaws with this phone, I still like it A LOT MORE than my razr. Would be awesome if it had a qwerty keyboard as well. Overall, a solid phone. Can't beat it for the price either.

Nice device but short battery life
The Shine is just plain sexy. Stainless steel, small, mirror screen, feels good. For me though function does sometimes trump great form. All the features of the phone are slick except the battery life. That is unfortunately a huge factor for me as I hate having to recharge all of the time. I get about 2-3 days between charges. My crappy old nokia 6100 got about a week between charges. I may switch to the Sony Ericsson 580i given its long rated battery life. If you don't care about battery life though, I do recommend the Shine.

Love this phone very much.
Despite the fact that AT&T is the carrier and it has a few drop calls once in a while, I am very happy with the LG CU720 Shine phone. Not only is it a handsome phone, it has a lot of useful features: It's a 3G phone which allows me to connect to the internet, Yahoo, MSN, AOL, IM and email ready. So you can connect to those directly if you already had an account. I can do video calls with any 3G phones (though I have yet done that), it has a great 2.0MegaPixel camera, has a mp3 player (tried and sounded great in fact). It is XM radio ready (need separate subscription for 8.99 I think). It can play video too, I mean music videos, movie trailers..etc. It has a beautiful, large screen (screen protector is recommended, it costs me maybe like 7.99 for two pieces online -- Clarivue). It supports SDMicro card too. So, you can expand the memory easily. So if iPhone costs $400 with 2 years contract, I has got this Shine phone for free with 2 years contract. I have made a really good deal!

There are numerous type of connections that I know of: GSM / GPRS / EDGE / UMTS / HSDPA, which literally means I can connect to the internet everywhere. What it makes so convenient about the phone with internet, apart from checking email, is that I can find a restaurant phone, a local map easily. I use it almost like a GPS. I have even downloaded the google map, and I can search for directions.

Games: I don't play a lot, but I am surprised to see that I am surprised to see the games available on the phone - Pacman, Tetrix - I also downloaded Bombsweeper (the anicent window game), Snake, Hangman, Video Poker, Bomber...etc (for free online - Getjar). I am in my 30s, it's just cool to see all old school games!

A lot of useful tools came with the phone, like world time, tips calculator, measure conventor, notepad...etc. Can also download a lot of other application for free at Getjar.

At first, I thought maybe I am just over-excited with this handsome new phone because of its look, but lately I do notice I am using the features it offers as well. That's more important. I don't wanna change my phone for a while.