I have been using one for a while, and love it. I would not want to be without it. A couple of notes: 1., I believe the issue is whether international companies that develop or use software (i.e. RIM Blackberry in Canada) that when they start using it in the US infringes on another (US) company's patent is legal or not. The judges in VA have said "yes" it is patent infringement. RIM tried to settle with them, a relatively small comany for over $400million, when a judge rejected the settlement. Instead, the company NTP is reaping over 5% of blackberry sales in the US (from another ruling). Sooo...the companies both have good reason to sort this out, if the judge would just get out of the way.
2. Blackberry says they have developed a "work around" software to use for US customers incase they have to bypass the NTP patent.
Unfortunately, it is not about the consumer, just about the money.