Maybe plugs in a hotels ethernet into it, since wifi usually sucks?

Its tied into the iCloud...if you activate it then it turns off the MobileMe version...and since MobileMe is going away..

Keep your phone plugged in then, since its constantly going to be pinging GPS to see if you're at a location to trigger a reminder, and your battery is going to drain.

Try it and see before you judge.

You turn it on, and when it sends, it checks to see if they're using iOS5 (and have it turned on). If they do, your message appears in blue. If they dont, it sends as a regular SMS. No configuration on your end needed, except to turn it on initially (its under Settings->iMessage).

No. You can set it to only appear in the top of the screen with a small preview and then have it roll away after a few seconds without interrupting anything, but you cant respond without leaving your current app.

You have to have the address and it'll do it. I wouldnt use these though, because it keeps your GPS running constantly (at least, it has in all of the iOS5 betas).

Not really, unless you're migrating. Google already does all of this. You might want to set it up because Find my Phone is going away when mobile me is gone, if you use that.

Every piece of technology is inspired by other pieces. There are only so many ways you can do a notification..would you rather them not have any, because people like you will bitch about how someone else already has it? Grow up, Peter Pan..