Help with unlocked PEBL & Voice Signal settings

Greetings,

I am new to Cingular (and GSM in general). Bought the PEBL from Hong Kong and overall doing well with it. I have 2 questions...

1. The Voice Signal is in 'British' English only - any way to put 'American' English back on? It can't seem to understand the names I say despite my best fake accent

2. I have MediaNet set up fine but I cannot access my gmail account from my phone. I have set all the settings as per the Cingular website but no dice - anyone else having same problems?

If there is anywhere I can send this phone to set up the above & pay for it that would be fine as well as I don't have much experience in this arena.

thanks in advance!