LG Puts The Shine On AT&T Multimedia PhoneLG Puts The Shine On AT&T Multimedia Phone

AT&T on Monday announced the availability of the Shine by LG Electronics, a multimedia phone capable of playing video and music.

The new phone is pre-loaded with features, such as AT&T's Video Share and Mobile Music.

Video Share allows users to send live or recorded video to others during a call. The service works on AT&T's high-speed third-generation cellular network, so users need to have a 3G-capable phone. Video Share packages start at $5; senders are billed for the minutes, but those receiving the video can view it for free.

With Mobile Music, users can transfer songs from their PCs to their mobile devices with integrated music players. The service offers the option to select music from Napster or eMusic, and a choice of downloading five tracks a month for $7.49 or purchasing songs for $2 each without the plan.

AT&T recently introduced a new music service from Napster, allowing its wireless customers to download more than five million full-track songs on their phones. Last week, AT&T unveiled the SLM by Samsung, the carrier's first phone with Napster Mobile.

The Shine can also be used for mobile banking to check bank account balances and history, transfer funds, and pay bills.

AT&T earlier this month collaborated with financial firms Wachovia and SunTrust Banks, as well as mobile banking and payment provider Firethorn Holdings and its strategic partner CheckFree, which specializes in financial e-commerce services, to enable mobile banking on cell phones. Together with its partners, AT&T rolled out a mobile banking application that allows the carrier's nationwide subscribers to view account balances and pay bills on their cell phones.

The application is pre-loaded on select AT&T cell phones, including the Shine, and accessible through a mobile banking icon in the phones' applications folder.

The Shine has a simple yet stylish form factor: Brushed-metal exterior and mirror LCD, slide-out keypad, and a 2-megapixel camera with video recording capabilities.

The phone is available in stores and online now for $150 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a two-year subscription to AT&T.