LG KF700 slider phone

Simple to handle, the number pad is also nicely responsive for tapping in numbers and texting. That’s important, because the you can only enter text on the KF700 using the number pad – there's no on-screen Qwerty keyboard.

The KF700's Shortcut Dial: a new take on an old control

The thumbwheel - called the "Shortcut Dial" by LG - is an interesting device. Other smartphones have had dial-controlled scrolling to complement touchscreen and numberpad options, but this implementation is slightly different. The dial, which is visible on the back but controlled from the side, is brought into play with a tap of a small button on the flank.

On the screen, next to the dial, a semi-circle of half-a-dozen icons appears. You rotate the dial to highlight the icon you want, then press the button beneath or tap the screen to open that application. Instinctively, you feel you should be able to push the dial in to select, but you can’t. This is a shame, as that would have made the Shortcut Dial a slicker proposition.

In addition to firing up shortcuts, the dial can be used in conjunction with the main touchscreen interface, as a scrolling device through menu options. It also does duty as a zoom wheel for the camera and browser, and as a volume control.

The main touchscreen interface is structured like the LG Viewty’s, with a few updated bits added. On the bottom of the display are four icon-labelled buttons, for quick access to call menus, contacts, messaging options and the main menu.