Or maybe it can't be done in a way irreversible by the user. Why can't they just make the apps they want users to have for it, preload them, and shut the fugg up?? Carriers... When will they get out of the way?

The only RAD for linux currently available is lazarus (and, no, a form designer coupled to an ide doesn't make a rad) and it still has a long way to go before being able to develop applications for maemo (if it ever will)
Maybe boa-constructor could also work, but I cannot tell since I never really used it, it hasn't been updated in ages and it uses wxWindows.

what does all of that mean in layman's terms?

Nothing, that's developers talk.
Well, actually a RAD eases application development, so you can probably have more of them developed with one available.

I've said elsewhere, this going on about this being a stepping stone seems like it could be internal politics with some senior execs not liking the high-end devices now being Maemo rather than Symbian.

It's either that, or it's a very clever marketing campaign to manage expectations and get no-one to buy the N900, but instead wait. However, that's not how Maemo Devices are acting so I lean towards the former.

After all, can the iPhone/G1/Palm Pre be customised by their respective operators in the way that Kari Tutti is saying the N900 can't? Or rather, have they been customised?

I can't imagine Cupertino being happy about the operators fiddling with their experience, so why should the world's biggest mobile device manufacturer let them?

Jaffa, each of those models is exclusive to one carrier, and are branded by that fact. No other version.

Wait, what's this thread about again?

It was Anssi Vanjoki, 'Mr Nseries' who first 'introduced' the mythical 5-step plan, which is ironic since, IMO, none of the tablets (save for the N900) are anywhere close to what an Nseries should be (based on the marketing and history of the product line).

In any case, yes, the 770 was the first, N800 was the second, N810 and N810W were the third, and now the N900 was the 4th. I personally think that, with the N900, the hardware part is pretty well defined, and now we'll see step 5 be a *massive* change in terms of software, just like the N810/N900 are.

The UK iPhone has no O2 branding; I wasn't aware that the US iPhone had AT&T branding. Yes, it's available exclusively through them, but I don't quite get your point there - or are you saying that they don't want to do any customisation as you can't get one except through them? (No direct sales from Apple).

"Vanjoki said, although the N900 is "great product", further innovation is still to come to create a fifth evolution in internet tablet devices.

Vanjoki (pictured) said: "In 2004 I announced a five-step programme with five generations of software evolution that will come with what will be the next generation of computers.

"The Nokia 770 was the first step, the N900 is the fourth. We have one step to go before we will have what we believe is the future of computers.""

http://www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk/News/...ject_n900.html

(this was mentioned earlier in the thread, but this is whole quote)

@ mullf,
I wanted the actual original speech from 2004 or whenever he first mentioned it. Hoped to get some insight into the future by studying the past.

@ ricky,
Do you happen to have a link to that original speech or interview, not the mentioned quotes? I'm looking for when he first began mentioning it in terms of "5 steps".

@ jaffa,
the reason I say the American iPhone is branded by default is because it only gets broadband speeds on at&t's network, since they are the only GSM operator to have 3G on 850/1900. The only other GSM carrier is TMobileUSA, which operates at 1700/2100. So no matter what you do, at&t has a firm grasp on most GSM devices unless a manufacturer works with TMobileUSA for a carrier subsidized model, or supports an unlocked AWS model, of which this is the first for TMo.

I know someone mentioned other models with AWS 1700/2100, but I haven't been able to find one, and neither have most of the Tmo faithful.