I've mentioned this a couple times in some of the custom rom threads, and I thougth it might be beneficial to point the new 6.5 users in the right direction.
Anyone looking for answers to questions on modifying the new home screen follow the link below:
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=63086
There has been a lot of work done customizing panels. I've included a couple screen shots to show the Opera Panel, Contacts Panel, and the Weather Panel.
Thanks must be given out to Hafrust who compiled the information, and to the developers at XDA (showaco, lpaso, tlogix, drkfngthdragnlrd) who have done a lot of the work!
Hope this helps!
~chuggy