And that's your opinion. You belong to those 3% of customers who don't care. Mostly conservative developers or geeks who have access to many different options.

Conclusion exactly opposite to above, so you already supported theory that user don't care as long as his content is available without struggling around his toy. However if you calling Apple polished you slapping product designers into face as well as polish people . Apple = good marketing. What is eye candy works for marketing as well. Take every single device to compare to competition and you will see there is creative thinking involved on much higher level.

I believe so. However (still from customer point of view) will take time for example HTML5 to reach flash RIA capability. Is far away from Industry standard yet. Doesn't provide content protection what is in many cases crucial for content providers.

From developer point of view? I have more trouble (processor usage) to scroll some simple html websites rather than full screen flash websites. Is all about developer quality as well. Flash was relatively easy to learn and bring many non-tech guys to the platform who begin deal with scripts. Sometimes result is dramatic you can say. HTML or Java Script is not easy? Its even easier I think, and everyone can put some junk to the web no matter what technology are you using.

Personally I think, if more those conservative developers could even try to develop something in Flash or HTML. Just one time. You quickly change your mind and became quality flash developer. The problem is most of people complain without get his hands dirty.