[findrivr]

OK.
Then there doesn't appear to be anyway around it. If I want the Imagio, then I have to buy a Verizon Imagio on contract.
It's part of the hook that directs customers to them; the preferred hardware. I've always understood that, but it's so much more of a decisive factor recently.

It really is quite ridiculous that [in the US anyway] we maintain 2 different technolgies of cellular n/w. I get that GSM may be better suited to some countries/global locations than CDMA[or vice versa], for various reasons related or not to the actual technology.
I don't mean to divert the focus to another issue, but this reminds me of the Sony Beta v. VHS era. Also, the PC v. Apple argument.

In the end, I'll have to resolve whether or not start a VRZ contract and if the n/w and Imagio are really all that. It will probably be a bit of an economic disadvantage if I go non-family plan, since my wife is very locked into Iphone. [which I think the same of as I do Apple: "doesn't really allow you do very much more than pc, but what it does do, it does without many crashes; but you'll pay more for it.]
Not that our AT&T plan is that much of a bargain either, especially when I factor in that n/w reception in my office is almost none, unless I place my N78 in aparticular location in my cube and only initiate and answer calls via BT earphone.
Of course that issue is what got me started on looking at provider alternatives and hardware in the first place.

I guess Mick was right, "...you can't always get what you want.."