Ok everyone, I purchased my phone tonight. After all of your comments, which were appreciated, I decided I would go for it and you could all help me keep it running. I questioned the heck out of my Verizon dealer to make sure of what I was getting as far a model and firmware. So please wish me luck. By the way what additional software can I load, or should load right away ? I certainly do not want to load something that is not proven.

Congrats! You won't regret your purchase. If you do a search around, there is a thread already out there posting everyones favorite apps to use, best check it out for what to load. If nothing else you probably want to look into BackupBuddy.

Here is the favorite app thread:
http://www.smartphonesource.com/vbul...&threadid=3947

Backupbuddy, BeeBopper, Snappermail, and Avantgo for starters. The post mentioned above is very informative. You also might like a car kit, and the pc-mobile or coolcat adapter for listening to your MP3s through headphones.

yes welcome. since you have read posts that helped you with this purchase, im sure you no doubt are aware of the search feature. thats your best place to start.