Netbooks are getting cheaper and cheaper. Touchscreen-based devices (using e.g. Linux) are getting more popular as well. So, innovate by differentiating, or die. Want to stay niche? Cater to a few nerds... Want to grow and stay alive? Adapt more to the wishes of the masses. This means a user-friendlier, more usable design. It includes finger-based touchscreen, it includes HS*PA, and it includes some proprietary software. Its possible you don't like some of these changes. You can hack around many of the software parts because its open source (chances are the device is by default aimed to be user friendly but can be heavily modified) or if you don't like that it comes with HS*PA chip you can go buy a Pandora.