…the incentive for carriers to have the latest (relevant) tech at lower prices is indeed the reason for the dearth of models out now. Makes such as Nokia have had that position for a long time of being able to move past those strained carrier relationships, and create a market for their devices that are devoid of carrier banded effects. This was good for a time, but even as it did in the past, the battle ground is the same – innovation from manufacturers has to be hands, feet, and heads above what the carriers can do in order to get a look from a consumer, and (now) has to be at a more accessible price.

Given the time since the release of the N95, which one could say was a bit of a watershed moment for unbranded versus branded devices, one should see 2009 being a time when either carriers get the most innovative things ever, or manufacturers such as Samsung and Nokia take innovation into their own hands and literally jump again two years+ ahead of what the normal customer wants.

Such a move keeps the carrier in the front of the mind as an innovator, and in some respects, protects that profit area from those users who want the best years before carriers would be able to market that to their normal users.

Not saying that Nokia or others will, only that its possible for 2009. And I think, just given from hints around the mobile sphere, that it just might happen.

As for Motorolla, Nokia, Samsung, and the like, as long as shareholders demand lower production costs, R&D will suffer, and new technology coming to the public will be stiffled. This is highlighted in your post with regards to Nokia, and their current offerings.

http://seriousmobile.blogspot.com/2008/10/symbian-foundation-power-future-brings.html

I did link your site here as well. Hope you don’t mind. If this isn’t appropriate please let me know.