It's alive, but hibernating.

Ok, I've deleted my post because it was basically another open closed source monolithic rant. I still want to go through a few bullet points:

* The OS might be open(ish), but the main apps aren't. Was I to build a Windows that can run Maemo apps and built a repository-like app store, 90% of users wouldn't notice. Heck, if it ran Maemo apps, developers wouldn't notice. Minus the few that rely on Linux, if any (most were Windows ported a long time ago).

* The Maemo experience is in it's vast majority based on the apps Nokia supplies and a few well-established apps that regular Joe doesn't fiddle with. If Phone, Maps, Messaging, etc are all closed, then it's pretty darned closed.

* Yes I'm going to say it again. Firmware-like releases are nice to keep track of versions, but bad for the dynamic of software on that platform. There is zero reason to keep a UI fix or an enhancement in Maps back until the next release. Releases are for major projects. Applications have versions.

Someone has deemed this take on things acceptable and preferred. Someone has taken this decision and it's holding a whole platform back. With great salary comes great responsibility.