I have to wonder if this UI is a complete makeover, or just a shell like TouchFlo, Winterface or Spb Mobile Shell. If it's just a shell, I don't think many of the haters will be appeased.
I also wonder why this will be called WM 6.5 instead of WM 7. It seems like there are enough features to justify a full version jump -- unless WM 7 is the complete UI makeover.
Steve
P.S. Let's give proper credit to the site that seems to have broken this story (at least the SkyBox/SkyLine part) --
Neowin.