IIs there any possibility that maemo.org/Quim could give a commitment that faulty N900 devices purchased through DDP would be replaced within the first year (assuming there is no obvious user abuse)?
We're probably - hopefully - talking about a small number of devices out of the 300 or so that might be purchased which then go on to develop a fault, but it would at least give peace of mind to purchasers who might otherwise not get involved any further with Maemo 5 or worse, purchase a competing device and leave the community entirely (as they won't be able to afford an N900)
The only margin I have to play with are the developer devices for developer loans. The wiki page I have linked in this thread so many times. I can't promise anything but if I'm inviting you now to have your names there I can also invite you to have them later if you really need (again) a device for development.
In point of fact, then, it seems to me that this program is just another way to sell N900s. With no warranty, it seems likely to me that Nokia will make a clear profit on these phones.
It had never occurred to me that Nokia would be up to this kind of dirty trick. I'm glad I kept an eye on this thread. I had no idea when I first got an email about this program that it was for a phone with virtually no warranty.
Nokia making money by selling 200/300 units at 250€ ? That is BS. And yes, the lack of warranty is a very unwelcome downside to DDP, but at least it's clearly written on the site after you've registered and before you order... it's just not designed for people like us, is all.
Thanks again for the replies. I was about to purchase a 3rd party warranty from SquareTrade, but then I noticed that they require at least a 90 day manufacturer warranty. I'm still struggling to decide whether to cancel my DDP order and get in the back of the line at Amazon. I really wanted an N900 this year, so it's a tough choice.
I appreciate Nokia's effort to reach out to developers and community members - obviously you were under no obligation to do so. Still, it's a shame that the DDP has been so poorly handled that it's actually delaying Maemo development rather than accelerating it; consumers are buying their phones (and complaining about the limited app selection) while developers are incentivized to wait. Of course, a little waiting is only a minor annoyance compared to the slap in the face it will be for the unlucky devs who try to volunteer their time to enhance your product, and end up with a €250 brick instead.
I understand if it's too late to put warranty cards in the boxes, but it's not too late for you to fix this. You have a list of all those eligible for the DDP, and you could easily commit to replacing the small number of units which break within the first year. Even 90 days would be enough to assuage our fears. The small cost to Nokia would be easily outweighed by the goodwill you would inspire by correcting this problem.
