Indeed, I did not understand your point completely correctly. But I don't think what you describe is the problem. The N95 also has the semi-press feature, as do most compacts. Almost everybody knows that.
But the fact that the N900 does nót focus at all if you press quickly is not quite as standard, and I've seen many people do it 'wrong' when I gave them mine to use.

edit: Live Focus works perfectly well for stills. As I said, I tested it.