Anyone hacking it already???
I took the EAGLE .BRD file and changed the polygon isolation so that I could look at it better. Does that count?
I have one ordered and supposedly shipped; I bet it gets here a lot faster than my TI launchpad. Opinions about the degree of "suspense" of the announcement aside, it looks like the Arduino team did a good job of getting these to distributors in time to match up with the official announcement. Good job. (less so for the 2560, but nobody's perfect :-))
Just eventually downloaded the IDE (in 15 seconds) and I'm about to take a further look at some of that.
I have no need for a new board and many would say I have too many already. I will buy one at some point no doubt but not for a few months at least.
Mowcius
The bit that interests me is the programmable USB interface it has. I downloaded the UNO intro video from Vimo, and Tom said it could be reprogrammed to be other USB devices like an HID but not a USB host.
Just ordered one from Cool components
https://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog/checkout_success.php?osCsid=65bea4c10ec05d1df4094fba8ff767f8 their web site says the won't be in sock until tomorrow.
said it could be reprogrammed to be other USB devices like an HID but not a USB host.
Yeah I think that is the main/only thing going for it at the moment.
Just ordered one from Cool components
https://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog/checkout_success.php?osCsid=65bea4c10ec... their web site says the won't be in sock until tomorrow.
Guess you won't be unboxing it then.
Guess you won't be unboxing it then.
I did infact unboxed it last night... it comes with 6 stickers and 1 warranty manual all put in a nice little package. The usb connector seems to lock in - not sure if this is something new. but i hear a click when i plug in the usb cable. Will upload a video soon... no IDE for linux yet..
Seems to get programmed faster than the duemilanove. in the IDE, in windows, it still shows as com port rather than arduino, however windows detects it as arduino.
Guess you won't be unboxing it then.
Haha ;D
Here it is... not a proper one.. put it up in a hurry.
won't be in sock
So if it's not in a sock it might be in a box. 
Seems to get programmed faster than the duemilanove
The serial connection now operates at 115800 bps in conjunction with the new optiboot on the 328 data is moving much faster.
Plus I would imagine the pacing of the optiboot would also add to the perception, even though it should be infinitesimal in boot speed difference.
But the real bump is in the data speed transfer rate.
I'm curious to see if the ATMEGA8U can configure its own PID/VID settings via a user's firmware and external I/O... for example a certain pin state means the board will appear to be a keyboard, the opposite pin state the board will appear as a storage device... etc.
That was announced, in the release blog post that that would be a viable function, but wouldn't that be HID.
so is the onboard mega8 programming the 328 via isp? Can you "crank out" standalone chips from your prototype that don't need bootloaders? I think that would make a lot of learners happy.
the ATmega8U-2 is doing the same thing as the FTDI pretty much.
You still need a bootloader (it's now optiboot) so you're out of luck I'm afraid.
Mowcius
is the onboard mega8 programming the 328 via isp?
Nope. Just a USB/Serial converter talking to the normal bootloader...
I think that would make a lot of learners happy.
Why?
Ah well, maybe next time 
Why? because it would basically double as an isp programmer.
can't wait for an usb emulation. :-/
glad to see the bootloader size cut back down
I opened my UNO tonight... was bummed to find that the ATmega8U-2 ISP header through-holes were solder-filled. It's going to make it difficult to put a header in... at least for me. Any advice that doesn't involve hot-air rework stations? :
I was stoked about the packaging but that ended when I saw the board itself... rather dusty and dirty due to the manufacturing process. Also the edges are a bit chewey with what looks like copper sticking out the side...
But the UNO passed my checkout process so that's all that matters. I hope I can start playing with the ATmega8U-2 soon...