Can't submit an empty date with x:inputDate

Hello,
I see two problems with x:inputDate:

1) if the backing bean is empty the control is initialized with current time: I would like it to be empty to "understand" a date has not been entered

2) it's not possible to submit an "empty" date, i.e.: a valid date date must be entered also if the "required" property is set to false. That means all inputDates are mandatory

Please correct me if I overlook something.

Thanks,
Alex