Or, "Why tmobile should subsidize maemo devices".
First off, because I want one but dont wish to pay the full price. And T-Mobile wouldn't have to subsidize the whole price. $199 to $299 would do. In addition to that, maybe they show some love for existing customers by giving them the N900 for a lower price than new customers, which has other advantages as well. Yes, I am a long time T-Mobile customer and enthusiast of Nokia devices.
In actuality, the N900 and future Maemo devices should be subsidizes because they are feature-packed devices. If Nokia and T-Mobile would partner up, they could beat AT&T and Apple. This can also be done without harming their relationship with Android/Google/HTC by carefully selecting the target markets for these devices.
The android devices are targeted to the average consumer, with stupid names like the "myTouch3G" that only the average consumer could identify with.
With Maemo devices, T-Mobile can reach out to tech-savvy power users, geeks, and those who like to be on the edge of technology. Who wouldn't be thrilled to have python and apt-get in their hand? There is a strong community of users who can provide support for Maemo devices. Some Maemo users may be turned away because of price of the device, or the fact that the N900 supports T-Mobile 3G and not that of some other provider- and these are people are people who would otherwise like to use T-Mobile (for a free or discounted device), and their money is as green as anyone's. Someone has already switched to T-Mobile, more converts are sure to come.
Perhaps the N900 could also be targeted to business types who travel often for training. Thanks to the Microsoft Exchange support (accomplished by Nokia's Mail for Exchange application) as well as video out and office document viewers, the N900 is all the traveling business person would need, and they could fit it right in their pocket.
Maemo users and linux enthusiasts are going to use maemo anyway. Why loose out on that market?
I know t-mobile and others would argue that the market is small so why bother? Well, a 2 or 3 year contract isnt something to ignore, that is probably about $720/yr per new customer minimum. Plus add on that after the contract, the user would probably stay with T-Mobile, especially since the N900 takes partial advantage of T-Mobile's forthcoming HSPA+ - 20 mbps speed. The N900 could probably take full advantage of it with a mere firmware update. Currently it supports 10.6 mbps, compared to the maximum of 7.2 mbps available on AT&T.
Another issue would be inventory in the stores- why have all the stores carry the device for a small market? The answer: don't. Just have the N900 available as a "web special".
With the Ovi store coming soon to Maemo, the N900 could be a real competitor to the iPhone. Especially since Maemo app development can be done on Windows or Linux, while Apple's iPhone SDK requires a Mac. Maemo apps can be written in C++ or Python, and can use QT or GTK, giving the developer more flexibility over being forced to use Objective-C and Cocoa.
A partership with Nokia/Maemo in addition to Google/Android. This would help distinguish t-mobile from other android-carring providers (namely Sprint and Verizon). By not rolling out 3g when the others were doing so, t-mobile should have learned the value of staying ahead, staying fresh, and therefore stay relevant.
Of course after all of this, ensure that Nokia's N900 successor uses T-Mobile's 3G frequencies and 20 Mbps HSPA, as well as adds new and exciting features.
Apple can't be dethroned without someone else having vision and solid technology. Nokia and T-Mobile need to see this. Apple is more than just Apple, it has a legion of devoted users. Can nokia claim this? Yes they can, with quality and innovative products and services.
