Bling isn't everything but if the big part of customers are used to bling and except for as absurd things as good looking icons on this wonderful screen (Best way to advertise you device is to make UI shine, when you take it on your hands it just needs to outperform others on this area also) then it´s the way to go. Nokia has done it's job on making engine work so let's hope that Meego will bling, because if it won't then i wouldn't be surprised if masses do not get excited about it and in worst case Nokia starts slowly pull plug because after all it´s all about ROI.

I do not have any statistics but in my narrow point of view I see correlation on nice looking GUI and easiness of usage of IT (Easiness of usage might also be to someone Bash but now I´m talking about GUI). I think that It´s quite probable than when someone really thinks how/what to draw UI he has to use quite a much time just thinking where to put and what to put so devoting to easiness of usage might come along with bling naturally. Just wild guess and "feeling"

I have had my conversations with some FOSS people who like to tell that tinkering engine is the most important thing to do because if it crashes you do not have anything. Sad part is that sometimes i feel like they would like to keep it that way inf.. There is always something to tinker and make better. GUI might be just magnet for people who do not know how to use it "properly".

But yes you are correct. JUST bling isn't what makes it easier to use, but it might mean more customers and more money to pockets of Nokia and that again means more support to also people who do not care at all about bling.