To get 'freedom/free reign' as the Linux community has enjoyed in the desktop x86 commodity parts world, then you'd better pray for open and commoditized mobile handsets (which is IMHO darn unlikely).

Otherwise, think long and hard about who is actually funding the platform. If the N900 can cater to the "shiny shiny" crowd and sieve some funds off them, then I'd say that's just about the best thing that could happen to Maemo/MeeGo/N900.

This is when it would be beneficial if more people in the community can take a step back see the bigger picture. Consider the platform (and Nokia's) goals and decide whether you want to align your goals with theirs or not. An OS that can cater to a bigger audience will get more commercial support. What does THAT mean? More devices will run your platform of choice and that means you get more devices to choose when it's time to upgrade and guaranteed long time industry support.

*steps off the soapbox*

trololo.