[Malatesta]

When HTC's new lineup for 2009 is released the Diamond will fade like the original Touch.

It is simply being replaced/upgraded. No mystery there. The only reason Sprint is EOLing it is because they have a newer device to take its place and other carriers will follow suit, in fact you'll see it on GSM first before Sprint. HTC has something like 25 devices coming out which are updated versions of their current lineup--every ~9 months, you'll see HTC (and Asus, Samsung, Moto, etc.) do a refresh as new tech comes out.

Verizon, if true, is just throwing a bone to HTC. They already have the much better Samsung Omnia as their "WM6.1 Black Slab" device which they obviously chose over the Diamond (the Verizon Diamond was suppose to come a few months ago from their leaked linup).

I'm not sure what "only one carrier" has to do with Sprint EOLing a device, I see no connection. Treo 800w, one carrier, 9 months = EOL; Dimaond, tons of carriers, 10 months = EOL. How are you connecting the two? Why not mention it comes in Blue and therefore Blue devices are "not fully comparable with the Diamond".