I don't think Joe Average is supposed to understand the N900. From a publisher perspective, N900 feels like the "public beta" for Nokia to build a software library and work out the UX kinks.

As a publisher on OVI, we've been told we can't start submitting Maemo apps until *after* the N900 is released. If this device was really for Joe Average, it would be suicide to release it to a store of empty shelves. I also hear it's a little on the large side.

If Nokia's plan is to grab the attention of developers/publishers and early-adopters/trend-setters though, I think they're accomplishing their goal. I'm thrilled to have a Linux-based device with a Linux-based official SDK. I'm already porting our S60 app to Maemo (which isn't much work, because I did the prototype using SDL+ALSA and I'd made a version for Motorola's Linux phones.)

I think the N900 mini or N901 or N970 or whatever they call it will be the device for Joe Average. They'll have a library of software on OVI and tons of feedback from early adopters.


....now i have to get back to work on moFlashlite and moFart.


-Pat