Some background first: I like Linux. I ditched Windoze around March 2008 and got Ubuntu. Linux is now everywhere: office, home, on my N900 which Nokia just traded for an E7 () and it's a fair amount of home and business life. I can't deal with the MacBook because it needs too much expertise, and can't stand the thought of going back to Windows which needs too much attention all round. I've also worked somehow with mobile telephony for over 16 years.
The N9 is the spiritual successor to the N900, which is still the most capable mobile phone ever for me. The N9 is a superb looking and feeling device (hands-up: true of the Lumia 800 too) but it does the good stuff well when you switch it on: media, social, telephony. It's a feel-good phone and for that reason alone I'll get one.
The N9 outguns the Lumia in hardware and especially when it comes to the browser. I've used both and the WP device routes you to a few select corners of the platform and - frankly - leaves you wanting. Knowing that the N9 will have some fun hacky-cracky Linux stuff to play with when the shine of the new toy wears off makes it a better proposition. For me.
I can fully understand why Nokia don't want to range the N9 in the UK. Back to back these and think about the overall strategy of fixing WP7 over the next year - the Lumia really does need attention here - and the N9 would outshine the chosen corporate path. That would never do!
I sincerely hope that the N9 ranges - with the 64GB variant - once the Lumia has shipped and advertised, etc. No need to promote it - those in the know just need to be allowed to buy it. I would. I know a few other people who would as well.
Sorry, Nokia - but you can keep the corporate strategy of Windows Phone for the mass market. I don't care about that, it's not me. Do your shareholders a small favour and sell some N9s to the markets here, in Germany, in North America - who want this product. You'll make money, and better still you'll keep a bank of advocates who might prove to be future customers. Don't make WP7 your next at-sea combustion in need of an exit when you have one under your nose :-)