I don't understand. Android is built upon the Linux kernel (with some deviations, but this might re-converge in the future). Allows a very large hardware choice and gets all the new hw goodies. Has open source afaik, or at least the source of 2.3 should be published.

So why not building upon it and giving it all the Posix powers, X server and what it currently lacks for being embraced by those who like it FOSS?

For example, having a full Debian distro working in a chroot upon the android kernel is a breeze. VNC is a decent substitute of a real X server until someone does it. In the hands of Qole, this could turn into the real Debian phone/tablet, and others could develop or adapt a window manager optimized for capacitative screens and fingertip use.

Others are building upon Android: look at the Grid/Tabco - so the idea is viable, but the community interest is doing it as free, libre, open source as can be.

So, again, why not?

[you could tell me, go to xda-devs for discussing these ideas. Nope, they seem to like Android as is, while the ideas of having real Linux in our pocket belongs here!]