> If any non-US BBS people want to get a Pearl I can look into some kind of group purchase when players are shipping.

If this is possible, and would include those of us who are a little further afield, then count me in...
I'm NZ and am holding out for Pearl's release, have bought a CD MP3 player(iRiver SlimX) to see me through until I can get my hands on the real thing...!

Duncan

p.s. I like FM tuners too, for traffic, weather, sporting events, and hearing new music, but as Rob said, it's a market research thing (and a fait accompli from what I gather) and I ain't gonna cry about it... :-P