The Ovi APIs don't have to be a powerful platform, just an open door to integrated services. Qt will be supported partially in Maemo 5, totally in Hamarratan and partially Symbian^3. Basically making it quite easy for Nokia to build once and run all their devices easily. Add this API and they ensure the next major steps in whatever next major platform there is (hint: the internet is an OS). The question for Mer is simply whether it will support the door to integrated services built upon HTML/CSS/JS (ahem, same stuff WRT, widgets, Palm's webOS, and Google GWT frameworks use). If not, then Mer is just something to tide folks over, serving to scratch the itch of developers who are happier with the N800/N810, than more current offerings. Its not that difficult folks... the question is whether some of you here will run with it, or keep to the door that the IT got you into seeing.
Thank you for requesting to participate in the Ovi for developers Beta programme. We will review your request, and get back to you shortly to let you know if you have been accepted to join the programme. With kind regards, Forum Nokia