i like your ideas. the simple iphone interface is very easy to use. its just like you said, touch and go. tf3d is too bloated, and you still have to go here and there to get to where you wanted to go.
here is a screen capture of my interface for the vga screen, everything is on the home screen, txt, miss calls, call history access, etc... to access most of everything, its just a simple click.
i'm looking forward to your rom
hope it gives you some ideas.