[jy2]

NRGZ28 posted a fix to the dim Start menu issue. Follow the twitter link on his first post and there's a link to a an XDA post linking an RAR on his website that resolves it by replacing \Windows\Shell32.exe.

Regarding "X" and killing programs: It seemed for me that the "tap and hold" option wasn't working as expected, despite being selected. However, unselecting the "Enable 'X'" check box from the Button tab of the Task Manager settings ("wrench" button), closing and reopening the settings, then reselecting it again made it work.

One curious thing is that Messages (Mail) seems immune from being killed by Task Manager. It doesn't appear in the task manager list, and "tap and hold" only closes it. But FdcSoft Task Manager kills it fine.