The only thing you can't have with android is the google apps. But the OS itself is fine.

Correct about the drivers.. but that's anywhere. You need the drivers for the stuff. Technically both Android and Maemo use linux kernels, so compiling already open sourced drivers for, say, a desktop computer should be doable if someone wanted.

But it appears by that wiki page that some integral parts of the Maemo OS are closed source - making users unable to build a complete Maemo from sources. With Android.. you can build a complete Android OS, add the drivers and have a functioning system. You just won't have google market, and the google apps. Good example is NitDroid.