Today Apple announced the release of the iPad. As someone that owns: iMac 29″, Mac AIR, MacBook Pro and the iPhone I couldn’t be more excited to get a hold of the new device. I had some doubts if Apple will install the Flash Player, but honestly I didn’t think that they will dare to release a device that is capable to use the Flash Player with specs that includes 16GB-64GB flash drive ,1GHz processor and 1024-by-768-pixel resolution. It’s one thing not to install Flash Player on the iPhone with claims that it isn’t ready for the device, but another to release a tablet with the Apple A4 without the Flash Player.

I was extremely disappointed to find out today that the iPad wont support the Flash Plugin nor Adobe AIR. It probably wont support Flash Lite either. I started the #FUCKTheIpad hashtag on twitter as protest with the following entry:

Dear Apple, I will be using #FuckTheIpad hashtag till you install #Flash and #AIR!

The idea is not to be vulgar or rude, that’s not who I am, but to ensure Apple gets the message and understands that the Flash community has had enough with Apple’s refusal to include Flash in their devices. I don’t believe you can get a true web experience without having the Flash Player installed on a device. Additionally, I believe that the iPad is a great device for developers to develop AIR applications, not to mention it would be great to be able to port existing application such as the New York Times Reader.

In an hour the hashtag was used about 50 times. I encourage the Flash community to use the #FuckTheIpad hashtag when talking about the device on twitter, as well as post letters on the FuckTheIpad.com blog so maybe Apple will understand that we (the Flash community) demand they install the Flash Player, otherwise we wont bless or buy their device.

Microsoft have tried a similar approach of locking other technologies and end up in court with the EU antitrust action as well as losing the support of many in the development community, since then they have learned. Apple please don’t take the same approach!

To show your support please use the #FUCKTheIpad on twitter and visit http://FuckTheIpad.com, we will post some letters soon and skin the blog.

In case you didn’t hear, Chuck Freedman started an amazing and generous event called RIA Beard Off. The event is a charity event for members of the RIA community to grow beards and raise money for Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

I decided to help out and I stopped shaving last Monday. We are looking to reach at least $2,000, but hopefully more, so to entice you to donate I decided to give away prizes.

This is what you need to do: make a donation to #RIABeardoff and mention my name when you make the donation and two lucky people will win the book I co-authored click here to view. The book will be shipped to your preferred address.

In addition to the two books, I am also going to give away a 3rd prize, which is going to be a surprise. Make a donation now! http://firstgiving.com/riabeardoff

TIMELINE:
• 11/23 - Monday - Bearder registration starts
• 11/27 - Friday - Bearder registration ends, Open donations start!
• 11/30 - Monday - First of many, frequent beader snapshots posted!
• 12/14 - Monday - Last Bearder update posted!
• 12/15 - Tuesday - Bearding ends. Bearders can shave & move on with their lives.

Here is the list of the generous Flash developers that agreed to stop shaving:

LordAlex Leon
Stacey Mulcahy ( BitchWhoCodes)
Bernie & Erikka Perkins
Mims H. Wright
Scott Janousek
Chris Allen
Curt Staubach (@curtStaubach)
Paul Gregoire (@mondain)
@BenStucki
Todd Anderson (@bustardcelly)
Robert Hall (@rhall)
Joseph Labrecque (@JosephLabrecque)
Jesse Freeman (@theflashbum)
Kevin Suttle (@kevinSuttle)
Brian Connatser (@connatser)
Elad Elrom (@EladElrom)
Chuck Freedman (@chuckstar)

I want to point out that some have actually shaved beards that were years old, like Robert Hall and Scott Janousek.

This is a great cause and every donation counts, so please donate!

What is the Developer Spotlight anyway?

The Developer Spotlight program is where Adobe periodically feature one developer out of the entire community, who is pushing the limits of Adobe’s technologies, or contributing to the larger Adobe developer community in a significant way.

I was picked for my usage of Flex and Flash Catalyst to create applications for the web, desktop, and mobile devices. See the post here.

In our field we hardly get recognized, it’s nice to be in the limelight and get noticed. I am humbled, proud and thankful for being featured in this month’s Developer Spotlight on Adobe Developer Connection. Thank you Adobe!