[griph]

1) The Now screen is supposed to be everything you need at a glance... Everything, that is, except for a voicemail indicator
That's the same as HTC's TouchFlo - voicemail - do you mean an indicator for missed calls or a dial up shortcut to your voicemail? It has the former - just not the latter.

2) I haven't been able to get PocketInformant 8 to be recognized by MobileShell
It recognises it as a stand alone application - do you mean that it doesn't use PI8 as the default app for Calendar/Contacts etc? There doesn't appear to be any such customisation ability without hacking the Reg. I'd be interested in whether SPB Diary does replace same - in which case it will probably be a willful commercial advantage.

4) Adding programs to the submenus continues to be a pain
Agreed - in fact the level of customisability (if that is a word) appears to be poor - I'd like to be able to change icons - like you can with Pocket Plus - but I've discovered no obvuious way to do that - the icons at present are just a tad too bright for me!

6) Still no convenient way to back-up settings (should be an export/import settings option like other developers)
Agreed! Perhaps they are just wanting you to get SPB Backup! ;-)

Still not sure if I will be going for the upgrade - which at $14.95 plus taxes is a little steep for a utility upgrade IMHO - PI8 upgrade was the same price - and that is a 'cant live without app' - mobile shell just isn't - especially if you already have TouchFlo!