Different gadgets for different needs I guess.

True and bit sad fact is that too many people like being like sheeps. They are lost if they are not given guidance and rules. Freedom of choice makes some people confused and lost and who likes to be lost? ME...I´m happily lost in ocean of choices with my N900 .

In a way Apple hits that sweet spot of people being lost and hits it good. Only thing that matters is how much you can make money out of something RIGHT NOW AND FAST. Good business is to "capture" credit card under one software and make it closed. And actually to provide quite nice user experience.

You should never ever overlook your competitors and for Nokia and also Apple there is things to learn from each other and competitors. Remember than Apple has always option to make their system open little by little.