1. What can we reasonably expect from this device, and; 2. What expectations are Amazon setting with their communication?
You seem to be speaking to the first point. Yes, it’s a book reader, so a keyboard is not essential. Yes, everyone has USB. You can even install USB power outlets in your home and office, so the actual adaptor is not essential. And so forth.
I think the author is speaking to the second point. If Amazon advertises it as a “Touch” device and it doesn’t behave anything like every other device advertised as a “touch” device, this is surprising.
If Amazon doesn’t ship a power adaptor like every other device, this is surprising. I personally won’t be up late worrying about it, but I’d probably be surprised if I bought a Kindle and discovered there was no adaptor included.
Then again, I have lots of adaptors around my home and office, and Amazon probably know that.
Not wrong, mind you. Sometimes a manufacturer breaks with the past: Macbook Airs cannot plays DVDs. I suggest thinking of the first five points as a critique of Amazon’s marketing, and the second five points as praise for the Kindle product.