Lurker here, decloaking.

I'm a software developer, managing a boutique consultancy based in Vancouver, and recently bought a N800 from the US to start working on a proof of concept product for IT's.

I'm frankly stunned that there isn't a better (or real) distribution mechanism for IT's here in Canada, one of the most internet connected countries in the world, and I must say that the apparent lack of support Nokia has for countries like Canada has made me delay the decision to invest some longer than I would have otherwise. While we could sell any product which leads from this R+D work anywhere of course, its nice to have local users which you can interact with in person... and users outside the usual early adopter group I suspect most N770/N800 (and probably N810) buyers are.

That's certainly not going to happen here in Canada until you can buy one at an authorized Nokia dealer in every major city, which you can't do today; or until Amazon.com and the like are permitted to ship to Canadian residents as well, with warranty coverage by Nokia.ca.

Its great to see this ground breaking work by Nokia but its also frustrating to see the inertia of a large company stymie the forward progress that otherwise could be made.

Nokia used to be a market dominator here in Canada; my sense (although I don't follow wireless phones closely at all) that isn't the case any more. Open systems based IT's will be common place within 5 years, from several manufacturers if not more, I would guess. Is Nokia going to waste any potential early lead it has now just because it hasn't got its act together with distribution?

Seems so, at least from the Canadian perspective. Is it frustrating in other easy to do business with countries?