A few weeks after the iPad announcement and the news stream is still buzzing with iPad-related commentaries. Whilst I share the sentiment of my editor-friend that people often criticize the device even without using it, or worse, touching it. The TechNews section isn’t spared from this as well. Yes, am guilty as charged, but I have to dismiss it. However, there are some points that need to be clarified on the major discussion points about the iPad, which btw, starts at $499!

First is Flash. I wrote about this already, but I reckoned that there is a need to clarify why Flash isn’t supported. I believe the main reason is the technology, than anything else. Flash is so unstable, so unreliable and so much of a resource hog that there is no room for it in resource-constrained devices, such as the iPhone, iPod Touch and the iPad. Flash was excluded not because of bandwidth considerations - the iPad, just like its smaller siblings, are voracious data devices. This means that it works best when it is connected.

Second is multi-tasking. In a resource-constrained device, multi-tasking may not be a good thing. Many people are clamoring about the lack of multi-tasking on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and now the iPad. This is not entirely true - there is multi-tasking on these devices, but the applications that are allowed to multi-task are controlled by Apple. No third-party applications are allowed to multi-task, at least with the latest 3.1.3 firmware. Is this a good thing? Apple thinks so. And if rumours are right, Microsoft’s next Zune OS might also restrict third-party multi-tasking.

A better way to understand multi-tasking on a resource-constrained device is having a look at devices running Symbian, Windows Mobile, or even the latest Android. At first, you will enjoy multi-tasking -- until you feel the device perform sluggishly.

This is followed by running an application that kills those background, third-party applications, to free up precious resources, and revert the device back to its pristine state. Now, keep repeating this several times during the day and you’d get what I mean. My suggestion, try it first before you dismiss the lack of multi-tasking as a bane.

Third is the lack of a camera, either front-facing or at the back. Right now, I do not see the point of having this on the device. It is awkward to shoot a photo or video whilst holding a huge device in front of you. Again, pick-up an A4 sheet of paper and pretend to take a photo using that - now, don’t you look like a dork?! :)

A front-facing camera, however, might make sense. It makes sense only if you have it docked. Otherwise, either you want your nostrils seen by whoever you are taking to when the iPad is laid flat on your lap OR you get a brace to support your arms for holding the iPad right in front of you for decent video conferencing session. It might make sense for a smaller and lighter device, like the iPhone, though.

Lastly, no USB port. This is not entirely true for the iPad. The iPad supports, albeit on a limited basis, USB devices. At the moment, it only supports USB to connect digital cameras AND you need a separate dongle for that. However, using the lack of built-in USB port as a way to restrict content on the iPad is not entirely fair.

If you are a content-producer, you can easily load your content on the iPad by dragging and dropping it on iTunes (on Linux, there is a way but that’s for another article) on your Windows or Mac.

If you want to sell content, you can sell music or video, just make sure that it is on a format supported by the device. If you are to sell an ebook, you can do so via Amazon, and for audiobooks, via Audible. I do not see any reason why the lack of USB is an issue for content-producers.

With all of these comments, I am sure that we will not be able to fully understand the device UNTIL it is released and lands on our laps for testing. Frankly, I cannot wait to get my hands on one.