So running background applications (without modification), and having the best push mail out there sucks? This is the equivalent of the iPhone 3G, vs the 3GS. (vs 9000, except size wise)

I happen to love my "So 20th Century" 9000, and so don't millions of others with BlackBerry in general. If everyone just wanted the iPhone, or the latest HTC, how boring would life be? They all push innovations, and all have their place. My BlackBerry does the job right, everyday, and that's what I care about. I don't need to impress anyone with my apps.

I'm doubting that! The 8900 will be taking the place of those two, I would assume. That, and maybe an 8520 type device, if it comes to AT&T.

I would think the 9000 would take the place of the 8820, but maybe not, since there's no camera free edition.

Either way, I wouldn't be surprised if this and the Black model both go to $199 once the 9700 release date is announced.

I would definitely love to see less emphasis on making phones smaller and adding features, and more focus on battery life. I'm pretty sure that phones are a good size nowadays. We're not carrying around 2 lb bricks anymore, except for costumes/jokes. One would think that the thinner these phones get, the more likely they are to fail, from lack of durability.

I wouldn't really call it better than the original. That's a matter of perception, as the phone has gotten smaller. I'd also compare this in an iPhone3GS vs iPhone 3G type deal (Ooh, it's slightly faster, and more megapixels/focus on a crappy cellphone camera). On another note, a few of us Bold (9000) users like the wider phone, and larger keypad.

This phone does look decent, but I'm going to wait for the next generation, if possible. OS 5.0 looks promising thus far, and hopefully RIM's purchase of a browser developer will also help out. Either way, my original Bold 9000 does the job it's intended to do great, and should do so for a while (or until it's broken, lost, etc, etc.)

I just got on with the Bold this past January, so I don't really need to change up, unless a real upgrade comes. At least it has a trackpad, although I haven't used one, so I don't have a straight up experience based opinion on it, vs. the trackball. I also use a holster, and only have trackball issues every once in a while. That's generally fixed after a quick move in all directions.

Either way, this would be a good device for some 83xx Curve users to change over to. I just hope that 3G battery life has been increased. My 9000 lasts a whole day on a normal work day, so I'm still not complaining. There are other much heavier users that could probably use some extra life, though.

Read one post above yours for the OTA url.

Sprint's Unlimited Plan at least includes everything. I just wish I liked Sprint..

Why does this surprise anyone? The government probably has 10s of thousands of mobile phones. Large corporations of this size probably do not have to pay ETFs either. Neither does anyone who buys their device at full price, at least with most providers..

Would you rather pay more taxes because the government is getting charged ETFs?