Edit: Looks like my cynicism was warranted.  The story's a hoax, and everyone's fingers & thumbs are unchanged.  Hoorah for living as nature intended.

Having not seen photos of the supposed end-result, I'm dubious about the story, but The North Denver News is reporting that Denver resident Thomas Martel has, so frustrated with inaccurate touchscreen prodding, had his thumbs surgically "whittled" so that they're more precise for small on-screen buttons.

"From my old Treo, to my Blackberry, to this new iPhone, I had a hard time hitting the right buttons, and I always lost those little styluses.  Sure, the procedure was expensive, but when I think of all the time I save by being able to use modern handhelds so much faster, I really think the surgery will pay for itself in ten to fifteen years. And what it's saving me in frustration - that's priceless" Thomas Martel

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor.  The 28-year-old suffered pioneering cosmetic surgery in which his bones were shaved down, muscles altered and fingernails modified.  He now, apparently, has thumbs that appear feminine in contrast to the rest of his hands.

Ouch.