A "making of" would be more interesting...

Let's not.

+1 for Win 7 = Vista SP

Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just been a while since MSFT has shipped a "major" OS that was as "service packy" as Win7. Maybe '98 after '95? Certainly ME was a dis-service pack after '98. For consumers, though, the only "major" Windows versions in the last 15 years have been: Win 3.x, Win95, XP, Vista.

Don't believe me? I present the version numbers:

Win 3....v3.x
Win95...v4.0
Win98...v4.1
Win2k...v5.0
WinMe..v4.9
WinXP...v5.1
Vista.....v6.0
Win7.....v6.1

Activation Server errors definitely a matter of persistence. I had to try to update about 20 - 30 times over the course of 15 - 20 minutes before the update would get past the Activation Server error.

If you really want the update now, just keep trying and you -will- get through.

Every device has its sweet spot, though, and even as a gadget adict $350+ to read books seems high. If the device could be priced around $199 (I'd even allow some type of contract/commitment), I think it would start to find mass apeal. Just look at what the $199 price tag did for iPhone sales...

At this point, I don't think Apple can "block out" Palm. If they make changes to iTunes specifically to block Palm, I can see Anit-Trust lawsuits in Apple's future...

Also missing from the KIRF costs: licensing fees.

Those patent trolls do a lot to impact the price of "legit" devices.

Once a KIRF, always a KIRF. We wouldn't have the M8 if it didn't have an existing design to copy.

I've got to say, I've been reading Engadget religiously for years, and this was one of the first posts where the sarcasm was lost on me.

Whether or not we'd like to admit it, we'd probably spend $199 (maybe event $249) to own this if for no other reason than to have another cool looking gadget in our "collections."

At $350, I agree it's too much, even for a "show-off" device to impress your friends.