The Optimus Black uses a modest LG-designed software overlay called UI 2.0, which lets the user access certain content without having to unlock the phone. For instance, you can see and access phone messages and e-mail directly from the locked home screen. You can also move two fingers outward on the screen to see all seven of your home screens (LG apparently borrowed this trick from HTC's Sense UI overlay).

"Shake" and "Tap" Controls

The Optimus Black has one navigation trick up its sleeve that I haven't seen elsewhere. On the left side is the volume rocker and just below that is a button that LG calls the '3D Motion Gesture Key' or G-Key. The G-Key works alone or in combination with motions to activate various functions. Hold it down and the phone goes into camera mode. Hold it down again while in camera mode, and shake the phone from side to side a couple of times, and the phone will display the photos you've just shot. You can tilt the phone this way or that while holding down the G-Key to move among the seven different home screens provided by Android.

You can also tap the sides of the phone to do things such as skipping forward or backward during a song while you're in the music player.

Camera