The point of the involvement is to try to make Maemo better so more people use it. More people using it means more software companies paying attention to it. So we might actually get updated software like Skype (hopefully with video).

I think Maemo is a great platform, but it's not usable by anyone who either isn't a tech geek or doesn't want to learn the ins and outs of the device. The device itself, coupled with the community and the software and hacks they've provided is powerful. But unless you can get that to the common user they're going overlook the device for something more accessible. E.g. iPhone, Pre, even Android with its rough edges.