Lack of [polished] apps is a bit sad because it will hinder general adoption of this phone/platform, but I was really enjoying geeking out on my N900 (until I broke the screen). I have to agree, though: Nokia just don't seem to be good at capitalising on great hardware and kernel with an end-user experience which sits right with the average smartphone consumer.

Agree. This is in no way a first class experience. A bit of googling suggests that Nokia USA support process tends towards the hideously bad. Of course, people who don't have any problems with it seldom spend time on the internet discussing how they had no problems with it, but still...

I did contact Nokia Canada - in fact that was the first thing I did once I broke the screen (apart from the swearing ). They told me they would send it back to me without touching it. It's not just me who's heard this from Nokia Canada: it's standard policy. It is my disappointment and confusion at this policy which caused me to start this thread in the first place.

I don't know. I will look into it, but if it's just $100 or so I will soak it up. It's not the cost which bothers me - it's the fact that the whole process of getting the phone repaired is difficult, longwinded, confusing and frustrating.