Do the iPad models support pen input? Do they support handwriting recognition?

The iPad was designed to support finger-based multitouch input, although third-party styli created for use with the iPhone or iPod touch models, such as the Pogo Stylus, also will work.

Photo Credit: Ten One Design LLC

Presumably, the iPad could be used with sausages as well should one be so inclined.

The iPad currently does not support handwriting recognition natively. However, just as iPhone models offer handwriting recognition for Chinese input, it seems highly likely that the iPad also eventually will offer handwriting recognition for input of languages that do not use Roman characters as well, although it currently does not.

Also see: How does the iPad compare to the Axiotron ModBook? Which one is best for my needs?

Do the iPad models support Voice Control?

The iPad models do not support Voice Control -- which allows one to speak commands to make phone calls and play music on the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 (GSM) and iPhone 4 (CDMA).

However, the iPad models do support VoiceOver, which is a screen reader designed for the visually impared.

Do the iPad models support Skype? Can they be used to make VOIP calls?

All iPad models support Skype for VOIP calls. As the original iPad models do not have a webcam, however, they cannot be used for video conferencing via Skype. The iPad 2 models -- the iPad 2 (Wi-Fi), iPad 2 (Wi-Fi/GSM/A-GPS), iPad 2 (Wi-Fi/CDMA/A-GPS) -- have an integrated webcam and support Skype for video communication as well.

Do the iPad models support Flash?

No. The iPad models do not support Flash, which means that websites dependent on Flash for navigation or content -- such as Hulu, unfortunately -- cannot be used with the device. Apple is opposed to Flash performance (as well as on ideological grounds), and instead prefers that video websites migrate content to HTML5.