My phone doesn't charge via its usb connection, though - that is just for transferring data.

The commercials I have seen for the iPad make it fairly obvious that it would require a computer for use, same as all the other products. I still just think it is entirely too overpriced for what its primary use seems to be - an ereader. Unfortunately people will buy it for $500, so it will be ages before they knock the price down to the $300 or so it is actually worth.

I have never seen an ipod that came with an AC charger - of course, I didn't buy my first one until 5 years or so ago, so maybe the really big clunky looking old ones did.