You can use "advanced configuration" program by schaps to enable disable various settings easily. Removing the Phone Skin is one.
Did anyone notice that the GPS is always on? It also runs quickgps always downloading sat up dates, as well as the weather is also auto updating? These "chew" up battery and keep your phone constantly at use..
I turn most auto update off, location for GPS is also off.. My phone lasts longer than my Mogul, Touch, Apache ever did.. and I play with it alot more..
Sprint does Roam on Verizon, as well as Alltel, US Cellular and many others. Here you can view an exmaple of some older PRL interpretations and see a listing of which other carriers Sprint Roams on.
http://www.rainyday.ca/~dialtone/sprint/sprint.htm
My Phone almost always has 4-5 1x CDMA bars, but only 3-4 EVDO bars.. Perhaps the unit tries to boost it's EVDO connection, especially with REV. A (which uses compression, perhaps further taxing the cpu on the unit).
-CC