I think Apple got to where they ARE by knowing who their customers are.

What has been broken here is not the code-signing apparatus per se but another part of the Apple security regimen; it appears this doesn't affect the need to have a valid initial certification to begin with. If the signing mechanism were defeated, that would conceivably allow anyone and his dog to upload and sell apps on the store without registering as a developer. But it isn't. So, in fact, the only people who could leverage this issue for nefarious purposes are people who are already working in the marketplace trying to earn a legitimate dime.

The issue as presented is still as serious (or as not-serious) as outlined, as it allows me as a developer do some pretty wanky things at the expense of the user's trust in my app -- but how many legit developers will risk burning their karma with users (let alone Apple) in order to exercise this? And Apple will have it fixed before any new bad actors get themselves hoisted into place with dev credentials.Am I too optimistic about iOS developers being other than evil miscreants-in-waiting?

I use the Apple 'SmartCover' with my iPad, sitting in front of me on the hospital-style cantilevered table that adjusts perfectly for height as I recline in the bed. The iPad touch sensitivity is very light and quick; in fact, I have more problems tapping the screen too hard and knocking over the pad when I am using an app in portrait mode needing lots of touch input, and have sometimes turned to my 12South 'Compass' stand for a solid easel-style display (very stabile, I recommend it).

...I don't think you should undersell Internet connectivity. Although fortunately I am not confined to bed 24/7, I spend more than half the day there, and Netflix streaming (which would be a wonderful gift you could frurnish her) is a savior; given the paucity of her programming now it would undoubtedly improve her day, and she would have some control over her entertainment choices. That and a twitter client (and set up the family on Twitter -- those that aren't already) and the family can stay engaged with her; an iPad or Android device with WiFi and a camera a can give her even more interactivity over Facetime or Skype.

You have an opportunity here to improve her daily life to an incredible degree, and obviously want to. Were it myself I'd even obtain here a Mi-Fi device and account if there was little or no Wi-Fi were she is living. Were it my own Grandmother I would not by skimping here.

All the developer-call you cite might mean, is that existing iPhone apps have to run on it with resolution independence. It doesn't mean that other apps developed specifically for the device could not implement Flash, or that Flash for iPhone OS isn't in the works, or that (regardless of Flash for iPhone) there is not a "Flash for i[Slate | Pad | Whatever] in the pipeline, or that a new class of hybrid apps for both iPhone and this new device might not be possible in the near future. My only hope for the device, myself, is that whatever the screen size or aspect ratio, it supports 720p resolution, if not higher.

Here in Des Moines, I lost EDGE data service all morning but could still call out and receive calls. I tried every customer number for AT&T but got the "all offices are closed, call next business day" and there was no message (automated or otherwise) about outages. I was left to wonder if it was an account problem, etc. (WiFi worked fine). Even after service was restored in the early afternoon (locally) there was no message or information regarding the outage, nor any info to be found on their website. Less than impressive customer care.