Hi, Okay let me see if I can answer these questions.
Question #1 AT&T has an unlimited plan for $20 a month per each line. I'm not sure how much you pay each month in minutes. If you were to upgrade to the unlimited plan then you should get the text messaging included in that plan.
Question#2 There's two different ways to do it. If you want to keep the same phone number then I suggest you upgrade your phone and contract before your contract is up. Depending on what your zip code is would determine on how much the phone would be. If you are in say the 93420 area code, there's a limited time offer to have the phone for 129.99 on an upgrade. On the website or going in on your own it would be between 169 and 299.
If you wanted to get a new contract, you'd have to get a new phone number then in the web site or store, it would be about 149.99 with the mail in rebate bringing it to 99.99. I can help you bring this down to 79.99 through AT&T going this route as well too.
However if you want to change providers, I can see which provider would give the best deal for you if changing providers and see if you can port your number over as well. Keeping the same number. Alot of times there are promotional deals and the LG shine is one of those that constantly have promotional deals sometimes for free on a new contract.
The LG Shine is a pretty good phone. You don't really need any accessories for this particular phone. Unless your looking for holders or something in that area.
LG Shine CU720 Silver
The LG Shine CU720 for AT&T is a beautifully styled and engineered cell phone. With its 2.2" mirror LCD display with wide viewing angle technology, the Shine will be the talk of the town. Thanks to broadband data download speeds, it delivers live TV and streaming radio, and support up to 4GB of high quality music delivered directly to yours ears via streaming stereo bluetooth technology. The Shine has an amazing 2.0 Megapixel camera/camcorder with an integrated flash, zoom and viewfinder.
Highlights
Stylish Slider Design With Full Metal Body
Unique 2.2" Wide Mirror LCD Display With Wide Viewing Angle
Play Either Downloaded AT&T Music or PC-transferred Music Files
Wirelessly Stream Music To A Stereo Bluetooth Headset
High-speed Data Downloads Let You Watch Videos Or Listen To Streaming Music
2.0 Megapixel Camera With Flash Takes Print-quality Photos And Video Clips
microSD Memory Port Supports Up To 4GB Card
What's In The Box With The Phone
Additional Items Included - Battery, Wall Charger, User Guide
Advanced Features
Digital Camera - Yes, 2.0 Megapixels (1600 x 1200 Pixel Resolution Max), Flash, Self-timer, Viewfinder, Image Editor
Streaming Multimedia Support - Enjoy Streaming Cellular Video (CV), MobiTV or AT&T Music, Access To XM Radio, MTV and HBO Mobile
MP3 Player - Yes, Supports MP3, WMA, AAC and AAC+ Formats, Equalizer With Visualization, USB Mass Storage
Bluetooth Wireless Technology - Yes, v1.2, HSP, HFP, DUN, OPP, FTP Profiles Supported
Video Capture / Camcorder - Yes, 320 x 240 Pixel Resolution Max, Up to 42 Second Recording, Flash, Viewfinder
Bluetooth Stereo Headset (A2DP) - Yes, Stream Stereo Music To and From Compatible (A2DP) Bluetooth Devices
Voice-driven Menus - Yes, Advanced Technology Requires No Phone Pre-training
Data Capable / Use This Phone As A Modem - Yes, With Software and Cable Sold Separately
PC Synchronization - Yes, With Software and Cable Sold Separately
Messaging Features
Mobile Web Browsing - Yes, WAP 2.0 Browser Built-in, Near-broadband Download Speeds, With Media Max Add-on Plan Bundles
Multimedia Messaging - Yes, Send and Receive Picture and Video Messages, With Media Max or Messaging Starter Add-on Bundles
Text Messaging (SMS) - Yes, 2-way, With Pre-loaded Message Templates, With Media Max or Messaging Starter Add-on Bundles
Email Client - Yes, Yahoo!, AOL, MS Live, POP3/SMTP Protocols Supported, With Media Max Add-on Plan Bundles
Instant Messenger Built-in - AOL, Yahoo!, ICQ and Windows Live Instant Messaging, With Media Max or Messaging Starter Add-ons
Personalization and Fun Features
Polyphonic Ringtones - Yes, Downloadable from AT&T or Third Parties
Pre-loaded Ringtones - Yes
MP3 Ringtones - Yes, Downloadable from AT&T or Third Parties
Ringer Profiles - Yes
Picture Caller ID - Yes
Multiple Languages - Yes
Languages Supported - English, Spanish
Games - Yes, Downloadable from AT&T or Third Parties
Customizable Graphics - Yes, Downloadable from AT&T or Third Parties, Animations Supported
Core Features
Color Main Display - 240 x 320 Pixels, Over 262,000 Colors Displayed
Color - Gray
Style - Slider
Warranty - LG Factory Warranty
Speakerphone - Yes
Voice-activated Dialing - Yes, Advanced Technology Requires No Phone Pre-training
To-Do List - Yes
Voice Memo - Yes
Alarm - Yes
Calculator - Yes
Calendar - Yes
Vibrate - Yes
Phonebook Capacity - Up to 500 Contacts
Multiple Numbers Per Name - Yes, Up to 5 Numbers, 2 Email Addresses and Picture ID
TTY Compatible - Yes
Battery Life
Battery Type - Li Ion
Talk Time - Up to 180 Minutes
Standby Time - Up to 250 Hours
Technical Specifications
Application Platform - Java
Data Download Speed - HSPDA (Up to 1.4 Mbps) and EDGE (Up to 144 Kbps)
Network Compatibility - GSM 800, 850, 1800, 1900 and HSDPA (UMTS) 850, 1900
Compatible Carrier - AT&T
Ringtone Types Supported - MIDI, MP3, WMA, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+
Predictive Text Entry - Yes, T9
3G Data Speeds - Yes
Dimensions - 4.0 in x 2.0 in x 0.6 in
Internationally Compatible - Yes
Weight - 4.3 oz
Built-In Memory - 70MB
Expandable Memory Capacity - microSD(TM) Memory Port, Up to 4GB Size Max
Compatibility Features
Device Supports Voice Plans - Yes
Device Supports AT&T MEdia Services - Yes
Available For Purchase Without Service Plan - Yes
Device Supports AT&T Messaging - Yes
Fifth Question: Different people are going to recommend and not recommend this phone. Depending on their tastes. If you'd like I can send you a comparison on different phones that are compatible with the functions and features of this phone and you chose which one would be best. If you want my help in this area, let me know what functions and features about the phone you like the best and I'll put it together for you.
If you need further assistance, feel free to email me any time.
Tiffany