Interesting.

I own the N800, N810 and a N900.

Wifi coverage isn't that great here. A lot of people I know carry an "aircard" for network connectivity. If I am in a populated area wifi is generally available though.

For me both personally and professionally the N900 is the only thing on the market that can do what I need a device to do. Maybe not the best but certainly the only.

The phone-home thing is network independent. Unfortunately people don't seem to care much. As someone who watches the packets on my networks it is pretty common. Don't get me started on THAT subject.

I have always carried spare batteries (and AC / DC chargers) for my devices since the Diamondtel bag phone days. Considering my laptop battery life I don't have much of a complaint here, though maybe I should.

I am somewhat aware of your opinions on these devices

BUT, I have looked at the pad devices, net books etc. and found nothing that interests me at the moment. I will agree with you in that I would like to see a continuation of the tablet style devices. I also want it to fit easily in my pants or jacket pocket.
If someone offered a N810 style device (Wifi, BT, USB) with a faster processor, 4.3 - 4.5 inch LCD ,more RAM and resistive touchscreen I would probably buy it. The company would give me an Droid if I needed a phone. (yeah our IT guys support it)

I figured the demarcation of devices went out when I started seeing people carrying cheap cameras that had a cell phone built-in

FWIW, I still use my N800 everyday as it has been tweaked for my purposes. I have 32GB onboard and a BT keyboard among other BT accessories. It used to be tethered to my Moto phone. My N810 even with the better LCD etc. only has a few apps on it, mainly Carman And the laptop is a company computer that I carry but use less all the time.

Conclusion: Regardless of the type of phone I use I would still have a (preferably open) pocket computer.

Sorry for rambling, but I tried to touch on all of the points you brought up.

Heres to your tread NOT going up in "flames"
Take care.