Only Phone(s) that work with no tinkering or need to install unoffical software are NON-Smartphones and Blackberry's. Maybe Palm's WebOS phones can be included.

iPhone works best when Jail-Broken, Android & Maemo work best when Rooted, and Windows Mobile works best when flashed to a Custom ROM.
Androird is like the medium between the current iPhone OS and Windows Mobile. Still locked down (Try Using One while refusing to use a google account and your SOL, my neighbor hates Google for whatever reason and bought a Droid that sits there....idiot) and the user experience varies per device much like Windows Mobile.

As for an App store the best Apps for the iPhone and for Android are not located in the App stores, so that is a moot point.

Windows Phone 7 is a sore subject to those of us that enjoy the customizaton/exploitation of the current Windows Mobile. And Yes, it is supposed to compete with Android and the iPhone. Microsoft is trying to have the same user experience for every device much like Blackberry's, Symbian, and the iPhone.

And if you brick a Windows Mobile Device, then I'm sure you'll brick the others (Android devices, iPhone) if you truly want the best performance from them. MOST PEOPLE HERE on PPCGEEKS and over at XDA do/did not purchase their Windows Mobile device to use it as intended out-of-the-box. Heck even an iPhone is not fun out of the box nor is Android. With the iPhone you can at least move from one to the other and expect your apps to work. Android is another issue. Some Apps only work on certain devices so if you move to another Android phone the apps may not work(New Google Earth, or Carrier Specific Apps in the store Sprints NFL...etc...). Those that have used Android on the Touch Pro or TP2 might have noticed that when it was being read as a Nexus One you had more Apps in the Android Market then if you are using the Sense Build being registered as a HERO. So I think your just going to end up complaing regardless, but I am pretty confident that they will most likely suit your needs better. But when you get upset because you see a Windows Phone with a newer version of Android then what's officially available on your phone don't go bitching about it. Just suck it up like the masses and move to another phone the next year.

I understand that these devices lead to a very disappointing experience out-of-the-box, but so be it. I have a TP2 because of the capabilities... TV-OUT (Something the HD2 is missing, probably why the TP2 still cost more than the HD2 with T-Mobile - just a better business phone than entertainment device) which I use often, awesome Speakerphone, ability to play around with Android, and the best Hardware keyboard to date. (also the ability to be easily customized)

I am sorry to hear your joining the masses in giving up on this old OS, but it did not fit your needs and I respect that.

But for those of us that find this to be the best option available right now, it is annoying to have others just come in and bash, but not listen to flaws we see elsewhere.

When it comes down to choosing a smartphone there has to be some compromising as to what you are willing to live with at the end of the day.
(I guess instability is the largest compromise I can see, but that can always be improved, hopefully) My checklist works by what network and or 3G(Or higher) coverage (also, if I'll be carged for features not available in my area -Big reason for me not to move to an EVO no 4G in AZ, you still have to pay for the service, are stuck with the 3G 5GB Cap and 4G is not expected till 4th Qtr 2011) fits my needs best, first. Then I need TV-Out which drastically limits my choices, then I also need a Hardware keyboard which usually dwindles my choices down to 1 or 2 phones. Then I choose the one that will have the larger modding communtity and longer manufacturer accessory support (ie....not changing the charging/data cable).

I'd like to know what your really looking for in a phone, I think it would be more productive to know what your requirements where and help you from there. But an electronic conniption over a Device/Platform which will very by every user on here doesn't help. (My user experience is not going to be the same as 90% of the other TP2 users here. I have different programs and user settings, as I'm sure everyone does if you "get me")