you can get FREE phones from AT&T that can send video and picture messages. practically every other phone on AT&Ts network can send picture and video. they just like blocking features and collecting your money.
The speed improvement is barely noticeable. and the compass? if you bought a new 3Gs, you bought it because it had a better camera, that would allow you to take video, which you could share with your fucking friends. AT&T doesn't allow you to do that, because they are cheap. end of story.
oh, and if I am paying every month for unlimited MMS, there is no way in hell I am going to put up with sending pictures to an email address nobody checks.