The n900 and most other devices are not hidden away from press and reporters to the extent this phone was. Details about the N900 were available for months, many tech writers had preproduction units to test. This is the case with most serious stuff. People that preordered them had access to independent reviews and lots of detailed information. (I might have bought earlier, but I had to wait two months for my AT&T contract to end.)

Apple kept this phone top secret. People still bought it in droves. Congrats to Apple for that, but I think anyone who bought today made a silly move.