a) the fact that Apple is in the market doesn't mean anything to me. I had a choice between an N800, iPhone, or iTouch. The N800 was, by far, the winner. And it will just get better from there.

b) I doubt "maemo could have been android". Because Maemo came from Nokia, its competitors wouldn't have gotten behind it the way they got behind an OS from someone they don't compete with. And Google wouldn't have gotten behind it because, in my observation, Google and Nokia are both "this is my toy, I control it" type entities, so neither would have been willing give the reigns to the other.

I see two possible outcomes:

1) more likely: Maemo will incorporate Android compatibility features, so that you can do any Android thing on Maemo... but Maemo and Android will otherwise remain distinct entities.

2) less likely: Nokia will get Google to incorporate Maemo-isms, and then join the Android bandwagon. (less likely because I don't see Nokia giving up that amount of control)