I got it today from Yahoo directly without having to do any trick... It automatically gave me the HTC Apache version... I had the same sync issues... I ended up deleting ALL of my Yahoo address book and syncing so that the address books would be the same... I will likely never sync again...
I don't really use my yahoo account anymore (for mail) so I don't mind the way mail works...
Did anyone try Maps with GPS? I notice it locks up if the connection breaks with the internet... (At least for me)
Still, very nice one finger interface... I can do almost everything from the soft button and joystick...