Noone can trust that claim (saying) anyway, if there is closed source somewhere in the kernel (drivers) or in the UX. It has to be openly verify-able with OSS which anyone can compile from scratch oneself. Only then it can be claimed (and Bruce Schneier can say "ok".)

80% MeR/Nemo is not to be sneezed at. If we can take them at their word on that figure...
Then we need only look at what's being done in those projects to get a pretty good idea of how Sailfish is shaping up.
I just wish they could be specific about what components aren't open, & which of those probably won't ever be.

Android drivers via libhybris is some of them. Like NFC NFCmidlayer and GFX drivers atleast it seems so if looking at the libhybris progress.

Is it now confirmed 100% sure we will see it this side of new year?

Nope, there's still a chance it could slip a bit.
A small chance, but nonetheless still a chance.

Hmm, would this be the correct thread to share the latest helsingin sanomat article:

A new article of Jolla in Helsingin Sanomat (paywall, Finnish)

There was not that much new in the article, but:
1) the announcement by Hurmola Jolla being available by the end of 2012 was not based on facts and he was let go from the company. (as Ive expected it to be)
2) The second delay was caused by STEricsson killing their SOC manufacturing, which would have made Spring 2013 availability possible. Jolla had to change to Qualcomm and made a technology strategy change to support Android hw and decrease hw related risks
3) they are even considering about the possibility that OS can be dowloaded/bought separately from hw. In any case the OS business is primary for them.

In the linked video they show briefly the typical usage pattern (nothing new again). And talk about multi-tasking. They surely need the new Communications Director to build more credible story. To the mass market the term multitasking has no value at all. They need to either get more exact examples of the multitasking benefits or come up with new features such as NSA-free etc. Also, in all communication they should state the different segments - at least average Joe and geek - and which benefits for which user segments are of value.

http://www.hs.fi/tekniikka/Jolla+hal...a1381482361938

New article about Jolla in today's Helsingin Sanomat:

http://www.hs.fi/tekniikka/Jolla+hal...?ref=hs-top4-2

Not much new stuff there but:
-It looks that Jolla can reach their target to deliver first orders before end of the year.
-Apparently first given schedule for start of sales (last winter) was miscommunication from previous CEO (Hurmola).

Few other findings still:
-Jolla had to change the SoC to Qualcomm during spring.
-At the same time they decided (due above big changes to SoC) to change the strategy so that Sailfish can be installed to typical Android-phone.

So we can install it on our Android phones. I or likely than on my n9 maybe.