I like the new 'places' update. It has replaced their separate 'Places Directory' app which I used a bit. The only gripe I have is that I, like the entire world apart from the US and UK, like to have my distances in metric and there's nowhere to change it that I can see.
I don't think it's sad at all. I have an N1 and love it. I wake up to it every morning. :) Thing is, it provoked a rather big response from the handset makers to lift their game. There are better phones out there now. So while it's sad to see a good phone like the nexus see it's end of life only 6 months after it's release, it's inspired a new age in smart/superphones. I'm excited. :)
I've been messing with my Nexus to try and get it do drop signal by way of these "deathgrips". Normally, I have full reception (4 bars) and when I grip it in certain places (similar to the EVO above) it only ever drops to 2 bars.