I received my camcorder and started playing around with it. I have similar Kodak and Sanyo camcorders but this is my first Flip (and probably my last due to Cisco's stupidity.) I made enough observations about the product that I figured I'd share them, although I won't go into the specifics of the recording quality and comparisons to similar devices since you can find that elsewhere.
The first thing I noticed was how small, simple, and quite nice the packaging was. I know it's a pretty small camcorder but some other devices are packaged in boxes that are unnecessarily large, so this seemed pleasantly appropriate. Then I realized that Pure Digital was wise enough to simplify their product so that there really isn't any need to include much more than the camera in the product box. They're nice enough to include a wrist strap and a soft pouch (plenty of cameras are sold without a case or pouch bundled by the manufacturer) but the only other things in the box are a few documentation cards. A mini-HDMI cable would be nice but isn't even necessary, it charges over USB so a separate power source* is obviated, and the USB connection is via the retractable arm** so a regular cable isn't applicable although an extender would be nice.
The camcorder is pretty small, although the depth is greater than I would expect. It's mostly plastic and fairly lightweight, although it does appear to be well-built. The touch interface is nice albeit unnecessary; the best part about it is the fact that the controls are lighted (although the camera is best used with strong ambient lighting anyway.)
The interface is minimalistic. There's not much you can do beyond record, watch, & delete video, and even adjusting the settings apparently requires you to hold the record button while powering up the unit. It's simple but it works, I guess.
*A very annoying characteristic is that the device is extremely picky about its power sources. Similar to Apple products, it refuses to charge from many third-party 120V-to-5V USB adapters, even those that provide more than the maximum provided under the USB2.0 spec. Technically a device has to negotiate with the host for more power, but also technically the power supplied by USB was originally intended for operating devices that are not self-powered (and don't need much power to operate, like keyboards and mice,) not as the sole method of charging a device (or running "USB decorations.") It's especially frustrating when a USB-only charging device like the Flip MinoHD or an iPod refuses to accept power from almost anything but a computer. If you make a product that can ONLY charge via a USB interface then don't restrict the product from charging over USB interfaces!
**I've always hated this style of inflexible, retractable USB connector. The devices are just too bulky to be practical (think of the camera sticking several inches out of your computer, potentially being struck and damaging or destroying either the device or the PC's USB port) and they're too massive in that they at least appear to be putting too much stress on the USB port (and the device itself) if not actually doing so. This ultimately means that even though the Flip MinoHD has its own USB connector, I have to use it with a USB extensions cable anyway.
Other than all THAT, it's a nice product, simple but functional. I'm glad I bought it, especially at the discounted price (but would've preferred a higher-capacity model) and it's sad that Cisco bought the parent company only to discontinue their only (as far as I know) product line!
