Yet…people keep forgetting that Apple can enable a lot of this stuff. They currently choose not to, but they can. Given their history, they certainly will when they feel that it's an appropriate time to do so (technology, usability, user experience, and necessary competitive advantage).

Apple is experimenting with its closed model, and there's a lot of people who don't like it, but it's always easier to open a closed model than to close an excessively opened one (see also "Windows viruses").

True, but I'd rather have features I like enabled now rather than when the company I just forked over money to decides it's good for their bottom line.

many people have used ipods, iphones, and I presume ipads without syncing with a computer.

You must sync a new iPad (on a computer with iTunes) before first use. I don't know if that still applies for the iPhone (though it probably does, for activation). The iPod is worthless if you don't have a computer, for how would you get music on there otherwise?

You are right, this is stupid.

Apple will do this for you at the store, but I imagine for updates you still need a computer. You do for the iPhone.

From what I understand they'll sync it to one of the computers in the Apple store before you leave if you would like so that you don't need a computer to use it.