ITs started as an experiment, given current and soon to come wireless conditions, that could (might have already) change(d).

PR is at work, but things are considerably more grassroots at this time. The best that can be done is that people talk about them Whether positive or negative, the press is a good thing. Also, with Nokia not doing overt marketing of the ITs, it keeps the possiblity of the devices open to several types of usage scenaros (for example, some of you are using the IT as a computer replacement, others a PIM/PDA replacement, others a terminal, others and experiment, etc.). Keeping the options open until the greater consciousness of mobile users sees what they are missing is a PR move, and a good one if the product can deliever.

After thinking earlier today, and posting in the Diablo thread, I've come to a near conclusion that the ITs might be a last salvo (in a sense) of Nokia pushing themselves as a device company. They are already moving into the connected services stream, and tend ot usually be right ahead of where the next paradigm shift is in terms of personal tech (see their history, its neat). The model that the ITs use is that of an open OS, community development, big company backing, and selective marketing. Done right, it makes a large company like Nokia fluid enough to move with the times and still drive innovation.

Now that I think about it, that just might be it.

UI, services, and innovation though have to be tightened up a good bit though. People will talk louder and more when things are negative but also pushing the boundaries of what is possible. I witness this every time I pull my IT out in areas where people just have gotten the concept of going online frequently as a novel one. Having such capacity in my hand is a revelation. Imagine how much more when the entire sphere comes together. It will more than get people to talk, it will change the way we live.