We've been hearing about the fabled Linux-based mobile OS, MeeGo, for just under two years now. Intel and Nokia originally announced their partnership on the MeeGo effort in February of 2010. Since then, we have patiently awaited the arrival of a MeeGo-powered phone, in hopes of a little more diversity and competition in the mobile space. Just over a month ago, the first (and likely the last), MeeGo phone launched internationally.

Unfortunately, Nokia announced the N9 around the same time they announced they were pulling their stake in the MeeGo effort and focusing primarily on Windows Phone. This means the N9 is a lone rider in one of the most vicious markets around. On top of that, their "international" launch was void of an official Stateside arrival, meaning if one in the US wanted to get their hands on an N9, they would have to pay a pretty penny and jump through a few hoops to do so.

That said, retailer Expansys has stepped up to the plate to bring the short-lived MeeGo device to US shores. The Nokia N9 ships with a 3.9-inch Clear Black AMOLED (480 by 854 pixels) display, 16 or 64GB built-in storage, 1GB RAM, 8-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual-LED flash, 1GHz Cortex A8 processor, PowerVR SGX530 GPU, NFC and a pentaband GSM radio, giving you access to either AT&T or T-Mobile 3G in the States.

Thanks to Expansys, all of this can be yours for only $690 (for the 16GB model). Yikes.

There's no denying that the N9 is one lusty piece of hardware, but will you buy one now that it's a little easier to get your hands on one stateside? (This question obviously doesn't apply to anyone who isn't open to buying a phone sans contract.)

When I first saw images of the Nokia N9, I was on the fence about buying one, but was greatly considering it for my secondary line. I've always lusted over Nokia's hardware and they are known for not pulling their punches when it comes to image sensors – two huge factors in my decision making process.

However, Nokia announcing that they would no longer be supporting MeeGo completely killed this device for me. It had potential, as did MeeGo. Thanks to Alien Dalvik, MeeGo could run Android applications and all would have been well. But now, it's an unsupported phone and OS with an expiration date. The worst problem of all? Instead of just doing a fire sale or at least discounting in some way, they're still charging full price for the phone. At $450 or even $550, I would consider buying a N9. It's clearly not quite as powerful as its current and near-future Android counterparts, but based solely on design and the camera, this phone would be a fantastic secondary.

Instead, Nokia has continued to launch an already-dead product at full price, acting as if nothing is wrong. Here's to hoping Samsung and Intel can deliver with project Tizen and that Samsung won't sell out before the product makes it to market.

So, no. As much as I want to, I will not be buying a N9 on the principle that it has next to no future and the value would drop a good $400 as soon as I bought it. But what about you, pups? Will you be picking up a N9 from Expansys, regardless of price? Or will you let the MeeGo dream die with Nokia's shortsightedness?

Image via Pocket-lint