There's actually a video of an early press conference somewhere linked in the Pyra forums where the lead dev Michael Mrozek answers to a question from the audience, that phoning while pushing the Pyra to your ear should be totally feasible - although funny-looking.
Personally, I have no problems with "funny-looking".

The SoC board is modular and a replacement board is planned as soon as they find a more modern open SoC.
So I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Like you say: Basic version. There are also 4GB versions and the vast majority of pre-orders is for one of the 4GB versions - to a point where it seems almost pointless to even offer a 2GB version.

What a waste! That's a task an RPi or one of it's conceptual offsprings does at least equally good while being way cheaper.
The whole point of the Pyra is being mobile.

Let me guess:
Running awfully outdated software that is vulnerable to any number of exploits.
That's at least my situation with the N900 and a major reason why I'd like something else.

Why not? Because you're concerned about what strangers will think about you when they see you making a call? Get a headset! ... or some balls!

The software is supposed to be a standard Debian with some optional Pyra-community-specific software for running games. Some tweaks (e.g. in the kernel) will be required, but the devs said everything would be released and if possible mainlined.
I've had a look at an early dev version some months ago and apart from being very rough around the egdes I saw nothing wrong with it.
As for the hardware support: Let's just say, a good part of the reason for the delay is a borderline excessive perfectionism on Mrozek's side.

... which runs heavily outdated software that flat-out can't be trusted anymore when exposed to a potentially hostile network.


Just to make that clear:
I'm not affiliated to the Pyra in any way, nor do I have a pre-order. I once had one but canceling it had nothing to do with the device or its devs.