Articulate on iPads?

Lots of factors at play in Apple's decision. Here's what I see:

• Business decision: Adobe and Apple are competitors in some spaces - Flash is a contendor in a few of these spaces. Killing Flash softly is in Apples interests. With HTML5 hitting, there's an opportunity to shop this as the ideal alternative. Unfortunately, it's only a convincing argument on paper:P
• Performance decision: Flash affects portable device performance. This is the truth. But so does a full-tilt 3D game. I see those deployed so this is a weaker argument.
• Business decision: Apple wants to control the app space on their device (in part because they take a cut of all sales through their app store). The benefits include more consistent support / reliability. If something doesn't work or work well -- the support risks go up.
• Personal decision: It's Apple's device. You just lease it with a single payment and the lease lasts until it doesn't work anymore or you're enticed into buying a newer model. They control all you see (Outer Limits style). I call this effective arrogance if they are successful. Destructive arrogance if they aren't. Since they didn't have any competitors in the space that could touch the elegance of the device, the former applies logically in every case. Market share is a pretty powerful motivator.

BTW - if I were another device I'd use Apple's Orwellian device control against them in a marketing campaign. Apple's done most of the work on that front

The decision only sucks for solution providers. Most users don't notice. And since solution providers are normally the customers of folks like Adobe, it's no skin off Apple's back. They really don't have anything to lose as long as they control the space. I suspect once more attractive competitors enter the scene, Apple may change their tune and bend towards customer choice. Let's just hope this happens soon