LG's Vu was maybe the most impressive new device shown at CTIA a month ago.  While Samsung's Instinct grabbed the lion's share of the press (and not altogether undeservedly so), Vu quietly impressed me in a back-room briefing thanks to its responsive touchscreen, snappy menus, and light without feeling cheap candybar body. 

Word on the street (well, Web), seems to be that the Vu CU920 has started showing up in AT&T stores a few days early.  It's not official, and you actually buy one until May 4th, but apparently Vu is available to gawk at in certain Ma Bell retail outlets.  Too bad for me neither of the AT&T shops I hit today (Thursday) in downtown San Francisco had a Vu that they'd tell me about.

While I'm not entirely sold on the whole mobile TV thing just yet (I already pay way too much for cable at home), I was really impressed with Vu's handling of broadcast programming during the demo I got at CTIA.  The image quality was great and the program guide was just like the one I see at home ? except better because I have Comcast at home and Comcast sucks.

So if you're wanting a touch phone but holding out to see what new devices named iPhone, Instinct, and Glyde the next few months may bring your way, definitely add Vu to that list.  If what I pawed in Vegas was any indication, LG's latest for AT&T is definitely worthy of your shopping short list.