Closing applications that are not in use will help with slowness/hourglass issues. You were informed of the right thing to do.
What is your file free (Options > Status)? You have an 8330, so your memory should be fairly high, however if you install a lot of themes and apps, it could be low. Better safe than sorry.
A pretty sure way to speed things up is by pulling the battery out of the device for 30 seconds.
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