This surprises you since PC makers used the unwarranted anti-Vista FUD to charge $50+ more to "downgrade" back to XP?
I am a little surprised to see Starter offered outside of the developing world since it was so vocally proclaimed that "we'd never see it here." I guess since they upped it's specs they decided it was okay for North American consumption.
Incidentally, the inability to change the background must have been put in place so that the PC manufacturers (or perhaps wireless carriers) could effectively obtain permanent advertising space in the background. Seems that by upping the price they are having their cake and eating it too. I think you are right, though. There will be some backlash and when the dust settles, so will the premiums.