Not available for non-touch devices.

Somewhat like Nokia's Symbian & Maemo strategy of using two platforms.

For living outside US, I’m highly doubtful this will be relevant. Microsoft never do things right about providing complete and useful local content for their services outside US, or their subsidiaries just doesn’t have the motivation to do so.

It’s not just the real feature or bug fix.
Frequent bug fix, even if not visible, give the owner a feel-good impression. It’s like, we know they’re still improving and not leaving their users.

Larger updates, like WM6 --> WM6.1 --> WM6.5 --> WM6.5.3… that means the device we bought will have the latest version available without the need of cashing out lots of cash for a new device. Especially true for devices that by specification, should be able to run the latest version of the OS but can’t because the OEM want to sell newer model (and we’re unlucky enough to have nobody making the cooked ROM).

I'd like to get this device, if it's priced a good number cheaper than the device right above it (Touch Diamond2).

I think the main point that goes against the Touch2 is it's specs. QVGA screen and no 3D. In XDA Developers, so far nobody is bothering to make any cooked ROM for this one. And since HTC or Microsoft is unlikely to give a ROM update for those later builds, this could be a 2nd class citizen among the product line that's just forgotten soon.

Well, I hope they can add more polishes before the release to bring it to the same level as other OSes in 2011.

If they came out perfectly, but with something the commentators would say "so 2008", it'll be another running uphill battle for them.

In the other hand, if this only affects jailbroken device, Apple must be happy now.
More discouragement for peoples who want to break free from their control without them having to get dirty.

Seems like exclusive model?
Their other qwerty WM devices only had WM standard

Still can’t login to Brightkite. Is it still down?
There seems to be new post according to the homepage though.

It’s not letting me in yet.
I tried the username/password and Facebook connect, both failed.