What Will iPad's Role Be in Home Automation?
By Lisa Montgomery
Is Apple's new hit a match made in heaven or a really bad combo?

Just a couple of more weeks until the coveted Apple iPad will be in the hands of the tech-hungry. Right out of the box, there’s a lot you’ll be able to do with the device.

So what about using it to control electronic devices in your home?

You can already do this by downloading one of the scads of control applications available onto an iPhone or iPod touch and most should work for the iPad when it arrives (automation giant Crestron has already touted its iPad app version), so is there hope for a multifunctional, portable 9.7-inch screen as a home control device? Along with Crestron, we know Apple-based automation provider Savant thinks the answer is a big “yes.”



We decided to ask a few seasoned custom electronics professionals (CE pros) for their take on the technology and how they think it’ll impact the way we manage our household electronics.

The Good

Big Screen
The almost 10-inch screen provides plenty of real estate for displaying information about and controls for electronic devices. “The more space you have on a screen, the less you’ll have to scroll or flip to get to what you want,” says Derek Cowburn of DistinctAV, McCordsville, Ind.

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