Porting Maemo's base to other chipsets/devices
Nokia has released a new document outlining the requirements to make it easier to port the Maemo base platform to other chipsets and hardware environments. [The document] describes what is needed to port Maemo to a new chipset in the form of technical requirements. [...] The document also refers to a setup where the porting work is a combined effort by Nokia and the chipset vendor. However, it is also applicable to other types of porting and product creation related co-operation models. These requirements may indicate a wider hardware base for Maemo in the future, but will also benefit the community by providing a more consistent and easier-to-work-with base platform. Although it doesn't apply to any specific Maemo release it's, apparently, targeted at approximately the Maemo 6 timeline.
Device quality assurance inside look
Randall Arnold offers us a look at Nokia's hardware QA process and some input for Nokia on issues with N900 QA and hardware selection (especially regarding the microUSB connector) But my experience with the N800 showed that CARE employees and especially contractors can be disconnected from the new device introduction process. Not only might they be inadequately trained, but necessary systems upgrades can be overlooked. We could easily say that this is a consequence of a monolithic corporation and its bureaucracy but there’s ultimately no excuse for allowing such gaps to persist. They damage an otherwise respectable company’s reputation. Hopefully Nokia has actually managed to fix the microUSB issues, but users experiencing USB connectivity problems or who have their USB ports come out of their N900s should contact Nokia for warranty service.