In that case keferen, you should have kept to your n900. Instead of buying and then complain2, lol. Its not as if the pros and cons of the phone have not been outlined in reviews and comments all over. When I purchase a phone, i do my research, & so far no less than 75% satisfaction in the choices I've made in nokia phones.

Videos can actually play in the background, with marxian's Open Video Player.

Full disclosure: I don't have an N9 (but I want one), and have never even seen an N900. So my musings may be a little abstract.

From what I gather, much of the 'out of the box' experience in both phones can be optimized - which is actually part of the fun. The criticism in the OP seems to be knowledgeable and balanced, but also it seems that already many of the raised points can be answered with some tinkering. So as a potential user and a light weight hacker, it it seems less worrisome.

This contrasts with the (in my opinion) grave situation raised by many and also by Keferen:

"and the 'fact' that the n9 is going to be the only meego device with support for the next 3 years means that the hardware like the n900 will be woefully obsolete quickly, no matter how flashy the outside of it looks. but the n900 ui will still be faster to use/navigate and android/apple phones will leap ahead in functionality."

With all due respect to the amazing community here, I do not know how this can be countered other than by tapping into an existing so-called ecosystem. This would guarantee the N9's continued relevancy. Yet with
With the Dalvik Alien and Openmobile potential having evaporated, the future does seem as bleak as painted by the quote above. It is the only thing standing between me (and many others I suppose) - and full ownership of an N9.

I swore I would not get sucked into this thread, but, here I am.
This is actually far from a forgone conclusion...

There's been many hints that Maemo6x devices will continue via a project called Meltemi.
It's rumored to be a replacement for S40, & Elop himself has hinted at it in recent interviews.

It's clear it won't be targeted for the very top-end Nokia smartphones.
But they've also been constantly saying:
"The lines between dumb/featurephones & smartphones are blurring"

It's possible that we'll have moderately high end smartphones making use of this "Meltemi".
Which from what little info we have, will be: Maemo6x + Qt5 + SwipeUX.

Jalyst, that is a very real possibility. If Maemo6/7 etc lives on in another form and returns to its roots then I'm sure the TMO community will stick around. Unfortunately the uncertainty means most will move on.

Android with ICS is slowly becoming a real replacement for Maemo/Meego.

Tell me, how many years do you keep a smartphone. Isn't 3 years long enough? Most people would change their phones within 2 years. Why worry so much about "the next Meego phone" when you can enjoy the present Meego phone to the full right now? Maybe something better will come along in another couple of years. If you buy your favourite car model now do you worry what the next model will be?

No, jalyst, Meltemi will be a dumbed down, simplified os for budget smartphones targeted at developing countries just like WP7 is a dumbed down, restricted version of WinMobile. The road map is clear.

However those looking for continuity can look to Tizen with some hope that it will have the Meego genes. Intel has promised that it will try to make a painless transition from Meego to Tizen.

Not from what I've been reading.
And others like Qgil/Elop/Qt dev show etc. have been vaguely hinting.
It seems like it may well stretch-up into what is basically smartphone territory.
It makes little sense to use Maemo6x + Qt5 + SwipeUX otherwise.
S40 + Qt will do the job nicely....
Tizen is even more vapor-ware at this point.
Hopefully we'll hear some more solid info soon.

Yeah I saw that sentence of his...
Didn't even want to get involved this thread so wasn't going to clear it up.

In the end this became a tl;dr for me, but for this sentence: Have you checked the Mer Project and Nemo? Doesn't look like.

"Tell me, how many years do you keep a smartphone. Isn't 3 years long enough?" (how does one do a proper quote here?)

I think 3 years is great. I fear that the N9 experience will be dulled long before - regardless of Nokia support - for lack of apps. Of course you don't need every app, but every user needs some apps (not necessarily the same as those of others) - and every once in a while there comes a great app that most people use. Look how hard it is, even now with all of the ongoing hype, to get that Whatsapp thingie.

In any case, the story of N9's future has been the subject of numerous other threads, and the cards are on the table.
I think I have hijacked the thread unintentionally. Guess it should be returned to its original subject.

Why are you guys replying to keferen?! He is not here to trade opinions or understand other things. He has his idea on something and if you all haven't noticed has an answer for everything!! This thread should be merged or something. Just another grown man crying about his N9. There have been numerous other threads for this. Sitting here complaining about swiping. REALLY?! Sell it buddy and hold on to your N900. Out.