Verizon is merely using the scammers as an excuse to jack their ETF up and generate more profit.

A reasonably thinking person could have deduced almost instantly that they could raise the ETF to $350, and then drop it $30/month for six months, before starting to drop it the standard $5. The ETF would not be exploitative at that rate for the standard customer who may have a legitamate reason to need to change networks, and would stop the scammers cold because they'd be subject to paying an activation fee, and several months service, if they wanted to flip the unit without a huge ETF.

Not to mention that Verizon does not buy those units from the manufacturers at the full retail cost - they get them for significantly less and then mark the units up - so the "huge" losses Verizon suffers are actually near minimal to none.

They're trying to make themselves out as the victim so that they can get set themselves up to make a significant profit and look like the good guy.

I'll still be getting my Droid on launch day, but if they don't grandfather the sane ETF I'll be cancelling the line ETF-free for a breach of contract. I don't love their network THAT much.

The leak/picture is indeed real. That Excel file was released to us around the fourth. I'd actually sent in a lead offering the original to Engadget when it came out, but I guess interest in it has only recently piqued.

Although there still is no SKU information, a Sunday release would not be unheard of. Neither phone appeals to enough people to have a prominent spot in the weekly flier.

Personally, I don't think it is going to launch on, or around, the 23rd, but, this kind of information leads me to believe it won't be much later than Early-September at best.

Y helo thar.

Best Buy Mobile has been pushing those for free, no rebate, for around a month at least. There's a reason for it though.

I still wouldn't take one at that price. A centimeter or two is not worth the reduction in screen size - let alone the horrid SureType keyboard v. the Curve at $30 - 50 more, give or take week-to-week. I've not met more than one or two people that liked the unit, personally. If I'm getting tied in for two years, I'd like to have a decent handset.