I know the numbers of symbian based handsets sold out there is pretty obscene, but I wonder how many of those are really 'relevant'. Ie: how many are still in use? Of those, how many make use of email and web or install 3rd party apps at all?

Would be interesting to read some good analysis on what is the ideal number of operating systems for phones. Balancing choice and then also not having too many so that it makes life difficult for consumers and developers (see: desktop PCs in the 1990's)

PCs seemed to have settled on the major 'Windows', with second and third with OS X and Linux.

On phones we've got (in no particular order):
Symbian
iOS
Windows
Meego
Android

This is surely too many. Can all of these survive and is this best for consumers?

I think the smart phone OS world would do well to follow the desktop market. 'Follow' meaning more specifically "the market will decide". Have one primary OS that is all dominant, iOS, and serves its function for the majority of people (like Windows on desktops). Have a slightly niche and off the wall OS that is a good alternative in Android (like OS X on desktops). And then have Meego for the crazy Linux people who like getting their hands dirty.

WM 7 and Symbian can die. Symbian because it's miles out of date and Windows because its so late to the party it doesn't deserve entry.

can android be used without a pointing device? (read: touchscreen)

what are the main points with what nokia can compete and win with other OEM manufacturers?

This statement really only can be answered one way: LOL

I'm definitely holding out for a new phone until next year when MeeGo devices start to really appear.

They should move to, it hat a flawless, smooth and fast java user-interface! x-D

i would say a hell of alot. as of this moment im looking at an e71, 5230, n97 mini, and n95. let me add in the usa each installed with 3rd psrty apps.

it was an emotional fanboyishes response.

Ah.. gotcha. Yeah, in that regard it's a LITTLE better than the N1 except that the 1GHz processor DOES clobber it with raw power. More importantly, though, there's a plethora of FAR better SoC solutions now. But I'll concede that, in its day, the N900 was in rare company for that feature. It's just too bad that Nokia can't seem to evolve their handsets and keep the OS on the previous generation hardware up-to-date and compatible with the next generation (a complaint that keeps getting brought up about Android 1.6 vs 2.0 vs 2.1 devices... except that Google has a range of handsets and manages to get a BUNCH upgraded whereas Nokia has... what the 770, N800 and N810 as previous generations? Pathetic.)

Ironically, all of my "tv's" are 1080p monitors and they pay attention to DPMS, so if I DO turn off my VLC-running PC or tell it to go into DPMS off mode, or even if I just let it sit there for a few minutes without playing something---yes, it turns off automatically or via wifi. :P

But that's irrelevant--Laughing Man made the point much better than you did. Much appreciation to him for a convincing response about hotels and Wii and so on.

Actually, yes. At the Google Experience desktop (or even on the HTC Sense desktop), you can either use the touchscreen, or the d-pad, the mouse (optical or ball), or the slide-out keyboard's shortcuts, or (as I do) a bluetooth keyboard, etc.. Have you ever actually used an Android device?

Sooooo.. are those portions of the OS so closed that someone in the community couldn't actually fix the problem? And people complain that Android is closed?