This is a good move to make the premium features free.

Don't forget the n900 Ovi maps app is in it's early stages.
I remember when the symbian version when it came out in a similar state and since then it has grown to be quite usable.

Give it time and be patient.
Once the Ovi maps app is improved, It will be worth having turn by turn nav on it.

Oh and , quoting an Engadget piece on any subject is about as reliable as saying "Bob from the pub told me....."

No offence meant to Bob