ok, almost solved !!!
the problem was that udev rule was not firing properly,
to be more precise, it was actually a problem with libusb
now mtp-detect runs without sudo
rhythmbox gmtp detects the phone no problem
however here is the kicker ...
banshee still does not recognize the phone... !
so the problem is solved for rhythbox and gmtp but not for banshee...
what do we try next ? :-) besides upgrading the box... ?
let me know...