They say it's true open-source in the spirit of Linux unlike android which is only Linux based. It's supposed to be super lightweight compared to android, have a better interface and it's compatible with android apps.
WIKIPEDIA: Jolla continues building the MeeGo ecosystem.
Anybody looking for a smart-phone that has no ties to a big corporation with all the usual nasty strings attached, might find an alternative here. (Well that is what i hope)
It's fairly pricey for the midrange hardware, but not getting google, apple & the likes showed down your throat without having to root or jailbreak the device and fiddle around with roms etc would be worth the extra money for me.
WIKIPEDIA: Declared: without PRISM and no disclosure of information Responding to privacy concerns in light of the PRISM spying program that came to light in summer 2013, a company representative said the US National Security Agency (NSA) would have no access to Jolla's servers[dubious – discuss]. "Jolla servers are not in US, so we are not subject to any US rules or regulations regarding disclosing information." Many see in this the Sailfish OS and Jolla's smartphone advantage over other operating systems like Windows, Android or iOS, which are from companies that allegedly grant secret services wide access to user data.
http://www.slashgear.com/jolla-sailfish-smartphone-to-launch-november-27-14305408/
In my Eyes:
A smart-phone is just a small computer and I won't give up control over any of my computers, And a linux computer without a terminal is cripple-ware. Since the mass surveillance NSA & friends attack on democracy I value free untainted software over convenience or functionality.
-> With those priorities: is this the phone to get ?