Netbooks are appealing, except for the cramped keyboard and screen.

I actually think that might be a bit of an unfounded fear (you've probably used one though), in the sense that I can happily type for ages on my netbook and my hands are enormous, what with me being over 6 foot tall... also, everybody that's ever used my netbook can happily type away on it, similar deal with the screen, and they always ask me how much one costs with a view to buying*

* I usually tell them it suits me personally, but they'd probably be better off with a laptop in the long run

Hmm, is Flash not the main format used for porn? If the iPad can't access Flash this will cut down a significant part of the web browsing experience (apparantly).

Its simple, flash is not under Apples control and you can do things Apple does not want you to do and would impact on its Stalinist control of the "experience" and more importantly potentially impact its revenue stream.

Its simple, flash is not under Apples control and you can do things Apple does not want you to do and would impact on its Stalinist control of the "experience" and more importantly potentially impact its revenue stream.

How does Flash impact on Apple's revenue stream exactly?

How does Flash impact on Apple's revenue stream exactly?

Or Apple believes the internet should be an open platform and not tied to one particular proprietary format for delivery. Apple maybe helping to push the adoption of open standards like H.264, and helping to cement HTML5 as the next generation for web content. It hasn't been officially ratified, but most recent browsers support it, and that will only get better.

Flash sites drive me nuts. I avoid them if I can. The lack of Flash on iPod touches and iPhones doesn't seem to prevent people buying them in their droves.

There's really no need to get too worked up about a product that's not even launching for a couple of months.

whether thats true or not, its a large portion of the internet to lock out like that, especially for a device designed mostly for sofa-based web browsing.

I'd image it'd take business away from Quicktime.

Adobe has spoken out about the Apple iPad, lambasting it for not putting Flash video compatibility on board.

There have been a few criticisms of Apple's device since launch, and although lack of Flash video was among them, the lack of support for it on the iPhone meant it wasn't a huge surprise.

Restrictive

However Adobe doesn't seem to have the same feeling, with group manager for Flash Adrian Ludwig putting his thoughts up on his blog:

"It looks like Apple is continuing to impose restrictions on their devices that limit both content publishers and consumers. Unlike many other ebook readers using the ePub file format, consumers will not be able to access ePub content with Apple's DRM technology on devices made by other manufacturers.

"And without Flash support, iPad users will not be able to access the full range of web content, including over 70% of games and 75% of video on the web.

"If I want to use the iPad to connect to Disney, Hulu, Miniclip, Farmville, ESPN, Kongregate, or JibJab - not to mention the millions of other sites on the web - I'll be out of luck."