LG continue their mission to make high end tech affordable with the Android-based LG InTouch Max GW620, a slide out phone geared specifically for social networking.

The GW620 is a 5-line QWERTY keyboard with 3-inch touchscreen, both of which make staying on top of your messages / chats simple, while LG’s bespoke Social Networking Manager built-in application, Linkbook™ integrates all your friends’ various social profiles direct from your contacts list.

Other cool features unique to the InTouch Max are auto-facetagging, which will recognise and automatically tag friend’s faces in photos, while ‘face-to-face’ action means you can message a mate just by tapping their face in a picture.

As LG’s first Android phone, the InTouch Max is a symbolic release for LG as it opens customers up to the 20,000 plus Android applications, 65% of which are completely free. Bear in mind though, the version of Android this LG runs is an early one, so won’t offer flash support.

Nevertheless, the InTouch Max is super-connected with HSDPA-enabled 3G and WiFi . Add to that the 3.5mm headphone jack, powerful battery and decent 5mp camera and you’ve got a seriously decent package.

Initially available free of charge on contracts with Virgin and T-Mobile,  expect to see some LG InTouch Max deals real soon!