Oh, and by the way, the lock screen can be disabled or set to "Classic" (WM 5) mode in the settings.

Perhaps some of the blame should be leveled at reviewers and users who don't bother to learn how to use their devices properly.

It's a shame that WinMo gets all the blame on these phones. The problem is not the OS. MS has made an extremely versatile and configurable OS. The problem is that the handset manufacturers do not take the time to optimize all the many settings available to them. Instead, they load it up with half-baked software and interfaces, which the carriers then make worse with their crapware and payware.

Case in point - my LG Incite. Running a custom WM6.5.1 ROM (courtesy of Dark Wolf), I've got about 15-20 minor registry custom settings that cure most of the evils associated with WinMo. Every one of these should have been preset by LG. The only remaining problem is the LG accelerometer driver, which simply refuses to operate for extended periods without locking up the display. Again, NOT a Microsoft problem.

As Android becomes more pervasive and more customized, we're starting to see more grumblings about it's performance issues. Even Apple (which maintains absolute dominion over the hardware, OS, and software) has had major problems arise within their envirosphere.

Much of the grumbling aimed at WinMo phones is justified, but let's aim the complaints where they belong - at the phone manufacturers who don't optimize the OS to the hardware.

It's not that Google Maps "doesn't work" with the GPS chip in the 8530, it's that Verizon has blocked it in the firmware. They enabled the BB Maps to work just about a year ago to prevent lawsuits. Like other carriers, they're trying to force customers to pay for extra cost services, in this case turn-by-turn navigation, when everything needed is built-in and offered free (Google). Which makes it even more surprising that GMN slipped through, although Google probably has a lot more leverage with V than does RIM.

This and the crappy reception where I live (25 miles outside Chicago), along with several lies told by Verizon company and sub-contracted stores, were the reasons I left Verizon and will never return.

Make it like T-mo's @home service. AT&T's network isn't a problem for me, but they're pretty much the highest price wireless service, yet they have the worst selection of smartphones and not the best 3G network. This box and the pricing/policies attached to it will not only further distance AT&T from the general public, it will serve to drive loyal customers to other carriers with more reasonable plans & pricing.

These prizes are like my wish list! Any one of them would make a happy ending to what has been an extremely difficult and stressful year. Even if I don't win, I have to say that not only is Engadget the best tech & gadget blog, but you have the most awesome giveaways!

I need to buy my own laptop for work. Unless I WIN a schwanky laptop from the best gadget blog on the interwebz...

Gadgetlust! Need... want... desire...

It's got to be better than the one I currently use.

@"android user" - I WANT to carry this as my phone. I'm living with an LG Incite right now. Nice and compact with a 3" 400x240 screen. (with plenty of support on xda, @digitallysick) Unfortunately, like the BB Curve 8320, BB 8830, & BB Pearl that I've owned in the last couple of years, it's ok for mobile communications, but slow, small, and barely acceptable. For mobile computing - seriously? Have you ever tried to edit a Word doc or Excel spreadsheet on these tiny screens? Pretty much useless. When there's enough of an emergency to try it, there's no time to deal with lag, scrolling around, saving, exporting, etc.

With a 5" screen and a modern (dare I wish... dual core?) processor, this will be a true unified mobile communications AND computing device. Hell, if you don't want to hold it to your face, use a corded or Bluetooth headset. At $199, I will buy it the day it comes out. At $299, I might wait for some reviews and user feedback, but would make the jump eventually.

Regarding "networks" - I travel a lot for business and have great reception with AT&T. I've had Verizon, TMo, & Sprint over the last few years. TMo's coverage was very bad. Sprint's was pretty good - when I didn't have reception, it would be in the middle of the desert or the like. Verizon's was very bad! I live in the western suburbs of Chicago and would constantly have dropped calls. No matter where I went, voice quality was terrible. Add in that Verizon store employees and sub-contracted store employees made a habit of LYING about contracts, service, etc, to me and I will never, EVER be on "the network" again, regardless of their great selection of phones.

My guess is that opening on the right side of the keyboard is to accommodate a camera/flash and maybe a speaker. That will make extensive or fast typing more difficult with the long reach for the left thumb, unfortunately. Ergonomically, I'd prefer they ditch that end and have the fully assembled unit show a "shelf" at the top in profile. Not the most elegant looking, but a far better option for usability.

If this thing lands in the US with competitive processor (800Mhz +), Android 2.0, WORKS WELL, preferably under $300 on contract, and preferably on AT&T, I'll buy one. And preferably not white. That is, unless Dell releases their giant 5 inch phone/MID here, then it would be a tough choice. I'm less concerned with size than with usability and performance. Obviously, it will need to be very well engineered and built, as I can imagine that 9-key slider getting wobbly after a few months.

The D-pad on the slider is interesting. This could make a great portable gaming device as well, one where you have the controller separate from the display, like a real console. In that case, you'd need accelerometers in both the screen module (slimphone use) and keyboard module (gaming control when separated). And you'd have the best of both worlds. The display body could be carried as a touch only slim phone, or with the keyboard attached for full QWERTY madness.