Not all x86 binaries are available or able to compile on ARM. So... already off to a bad start.

I require more. We're different users. Stop imposing your lack of needs on me. I'm not imposing my needs onto you. I'm just stating nicely that we're different users.

So... when I do something like rm -rf, that's wrong, right?

Seriously dude. Not tooting my own horn here, but I've been a Linux admin/dev/user for almost 15 years. I don't need a description of what Linux is. I think the problem you're overlooking is that the average consumer just doesn't give a flying damn what Linux is. Their needs, if you could step outside of your egocentric needs and see that their needs, wants and desires do not equal yours. You're happy with a LiveCD. Great for you.

The average consumer wants a lot more than that.

And if it's Windows, BSD, BeOS, OS X, Linux or your mama... they won't care as long as the consumer gets their fix - be it video, music, gps, directions, or whatever.

The wrongly utilized term "ecosystem" means a delivery method of that content.

Linux is definitely not the kiss of death for me, apparently not for you either. We took the time to learn what it was, what it needs - more than just press a button like the average "George Jetson" consumer that wants only one button to do it all for them - and it's why I bought my first Maemo device, a 770. But to the average consumer, marketing needs to play up what else they have. Us nerds will be like ... "ooh, Linux. And root. Sold."

Wasn't for me. I didn't like it.

Sold mine, returned one, last one broke. My Xoom... rooted, I do what I feel, whenever I feel with a lot more stuff on it than my N900.

Different users, different uses yet again.

Wrong. It needs both. Delivering a phone without a way to deliver content or have it plug into your daily operations easily and seamlessly is basically the most stupid thing you can do for a gadget like a smartphone.

Simply put, people have somehow equated a feature phone to be a smartphone, and that "smartphone" should take and share pictures, take and share videos, play/rent movies, have access to/allow for purchase music, plan their day, talk to their IMAP/Exchange server, allow them to surf the web, read the news to them, tell them that they're pretty and above all, make them feel like they bought the right device.

Without services, the consumer has to do more work, thus read more, thus research more to make it fit into their lifestyle. If you haven't checked... the average consumer is closer to idiot than guru.

8 E3's, 6 TGS's, 10 CES's, 3 SIGGRAPH's and countless other shows/conventions... the pretty girl can't sell me jack if she can't answer my questions. But again... I ain't the average consumer. Neither are you.

They don't have to. Apple stated they will support it for 3 iterations of their iOS. And has. Google has updated their Nexus phones to the point of where other manufacturers had to do the same or risk getting called out. And people don't change phones THAT often. So yes... having support a full 13+ months later is a GOOD thing to have and offer. To offer less, you risk alienating the sheep consumer and you piss off your core geek audience too.

I'm not sure you knew... but here's the five steps since you're oblivious:

770 (step 1 - initial edition)
N800 (step 2)
N810 (step 3)
N900 (step 4)
N9 (step 5 - consumer friendly edition)

Right there are my five steps. Any other questions?