next smartphone thoughts

[Erez D]

It is time to get a new smartphone. so i have to choose one.

Some history:
for a long time i wanted a GNU/Linux phone, and when the moco arrived, i was
happy.
While I was thinking of getting a moco, happy about the freedom but not
happy about it lagging technology-wise, there was a new better gnu/linux
phone - the Nokia N900
This was really good news, the biggest cellular manufacturer - nokia, is
thinking open source is the way.
So I got myself an N900, and was very happy with it. i compiled a kernel,
installed gnu/linux programs on it, and actually used it as a computer.
Then nokia abandoned the N900's OS - maemo (when the N900 was around 1 year
on the market) , in favor of a new one, called Meego. that was sad for the
N900 users as it ment no more support for the N900.
But it was not that dire  for the open source people, as meego was supposed
to be another GNU/Linux open source os. it's like replacing debian with
redhat. That is not nice for maemo lovers/users, but it's not like
abandoning open source whatsoever.
But then nokia decided to abandon meego in favor of windows mobile... this
was a major shock.

I thought a company like nokia has some unwritten obligation to it's
customers - not to abandon their products after such a short time,
especially if these products were only half baked to begin with (N900 came
with no mms, no videocall, calender not full baked) etc...) awaiting updates
to make it fully baked.
so i was wrong and felt abandoned twice ... (once for maemo for meego, once
for meego for wp7)

now for my problem - i need to get a new smartphone (from work), and wanted
a gnu/linux one.
My options:
1. iphone - not gnu/linux nor open. actually this is the closest as can be
in terms of free as speech.
2. symbian - deprecated. should be open somtimes (i wouldn't get my hopes up
for nokia promises)
3. webos - gnu/linux but deprecated
4. maemo - gnu/linux but deprecated
5. meego (N9) - though about it, but once bitten from nokia - twice shy.
nokia does not even say they expect to continue with meego
6. android - live and kicking, actually the most popular. it is somehow
open, and linux kernel. not gnu though.

So i have to choose one of these.
I thought about android (galaxy s2). but i do not like it that i need to
program only in java, and that when i install apps, even simple as "clock
widget" - they require full access to my addressbook, to my setting and to
the internet.
I would love to block it via other ways (selinux/apparmor/iptables etc...).
I miss my linux apps. (can run in any way a gnu/linbux dist under chroot ?)
can i write non java apps and give to my friends ?

what are your thoughts on the issue ?

thanks,
erez.
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