While I am not a blogger, I feel that there is an important point that has not been said. While there are exceptions to the rule (namely us), the VAST majority of Americans will accept the mass produced crap that they are being offered without even questioning it. I was once that way, then my buddy showed me his brand new 6230, freshly imported.... my life changed at that momemt (ok, well I suddenly realized my phone was a piece of crap). The cellular market is a relatively new one and the business practices being employed to capture the market place are changing before our very eyes, think back to five years ago, what was being advertised then? It wasn't really the capabilities of one phone versus another, hell it was probably tri-band (I wouldn't know I was ignorant back then). Now we are seeing things like design and funcationality being focused on, sure the hardware has evloved allowing such things, but if you ask the average Joe who thinks he knows his cell phones what the hottest phone of this year will be and he will tell you the iPhone. Now depending on how you define "hot" he most likely is correct. Does the N95 make the iPhone look like it should have come out three years ago? Sure, but guess which one will sell VASTLY more in America (and almost guaranteed, worldwide). I am glad to see the focus shifting, it is moving in the right direction. It will take time, the only thing scares me is what MS is going to do to keep s60 out of the hands of the carriers. The carriers carry all of the power right now, that is something that will change only when consumers are willing to spend a bit more money up front to afford the freedom of choice. Right now I could give a way a phone and charge $20 / month for it instead of offering a $100 up front one time cost and I bet that 60% of my customers would take the monthly installments.
Wow, im getting off topic... hopefully you see my point. The marketplace has to change before s60 will take off.