With its’ candybar shape, GPS, EV-DO, QWERTY keypad, auto-focus 2 megapixel camera, video and music player, Bluetooth (1.2), push email, 262k color 160×128 display and microSD expansion slot, the LG enV (VX9900) recently received the work over by Michael Oryl.

A few hits and misses, the LG enV could have definitely used some of the artistic design that we’ve been seeing in other handsets, like the Chocolate and the Shine. Other gripes include poor contact management as it has limited search funtions and near deplorable MP3 support.

While the LG VX9900 does have built-in speakers, V-Cast and Bluetooth A2DP support, there is no way to play your own MP3’s direct from the microSD slot with transcoding to Windows Media format.

In the review, the LG enV sneaks away with a highly reccommended rating. We somewhat understand as the phone is sturdy and apparently handles the basics with sufficiency as well as provides some good output on the multimedia end. But with so many other phones in the same price range? …hmm.

Clearly not aiming for the smartphone crowd it seems the LG VX9900 is looking to catch “tweeners” who have a need for something like the Sidekick or something like a smartphone but think those options won’t fit thier needs. But for $149.00 after signup, what would you pick, a Palm Treo 700 (Windows Mobile 5 or Palm OS), a Motorola Q (Black or Silver) or the LG enV? Available at Verizon