Android contains only the kernel of Linux, the rest is google stuff, Maemo is a 100 Linux OS. Maemo grants easy, and with easy i mean official with manufactur warranty, root access...Androids needs hacks like IPhone...

And the apps on android are running in a modified Java Environment of google...anything (in my opinion) with Android and free is only it's just marketing...yes you can have android for free, not he drivers...not the google apps like maps, phone etc...