this is all great information - I'm gonna thank everyone on this thread!

I'm going to the Verizon store today because my 2 year contract is up and it's time for a new phone...which brings me to my question:

Will ANY Bluetooth-capable Verizon phone act the same way? Or similarly?

How do I know if a certain Bluetooth-capable Verizon phone will work for DUN?

The VX8700 is nice...and $180. I hope to get some kind of contract-renewal-discount (it is my 4th 2yr agreement afterall)...but if I can't, I need to look at less-expensive phones. Any ideas?

This post is also helpful cuz of the ssh-to-root instructions...thanks for that. I've struggled with Linux in the past...I'm now a n00b for the second time in 3 years...but now it's all starting to make sense...getting a hang of the syntax, finally. Thanks, kalia, for literally spelling it out.