No, any phone can IRC. There are even java irc clients for dumbphones, not what I am talking about.
Ssh into your phone, start a native irssi on your phone, and irc through the phone.
What I demonstrated is that a n900 is a completely open linux shell. You have a root shell right out of the box, with access to all normal linux utilities and plenty more to add.
And your phone *should* be able to tether out of the box, randomly pick out a free phone from t-mobile and it can too. I don't think android can. You need a special rom.
Maemo has tons of apps. Anything that runs on linux will run on n900. In fact, it pretty much has full functionality out of the box. Full mozilla browser with flash, multitasking, threaded messaging, exchange/imap support, gps with maps, nice camera/video, and music/video/internet radio player. Its all you really need. But then you go into the download section and see all the free linux programs you love can be added to your phone. Its great.
I guess you're correct. If you're a linux nerd, or just a geek in general the n900 is the best. But if you are looking for something your mom or the average user would like, the iphone is best.
But I don't understand how you can say the iphone has the best browser? It doesn't even have flash. I suggest you check out the browsing experience on the n900.
http://www.gsmarena.com/browser_shootout-review-448p6.php
Even the n900 gets mentioned in the iphones wrap up
