The iPod became a game changing audio source because it provided text feedback (and later cover art) at an affordable price. It replaced CD changers and provided a music server experience that could be included no matter what the budget was.

For the iPad to become a game changer as a touchscreen it will need to provide the same or better experience vs whats already available. Based on the iPhone & iTouch i think its safe to assume the touchscreen performs well and that the resolution/image quality is better than the typical control system touchscreen. I will guess the same for the wi-fi receiver since my iPhone blows away any touchscreen i have ever seen. @ $500 there is no comparison in price.

So.. we have a device that completely blows away any control system wireless panel thats currently available on the hardware side. The only thing left is how it operates.

Pushing a button to light the panel up is not typical, most wake up when the screen is touched. I can live with this. Pushing the hard button vs tapping the screen is the same amount of presses so IMO this is not a deal breaker.

Now what? I have to press an app? I have to wait for an app to connect? I cant really comment on this until i get my hands on one. I know that the remote app on my iPhone sucks to use as a remote because each time the screen goes black i have to do these steps to get back to controlling my iMac.

Press the hard button to wake it up.

Select the remote app.

Wait for the remote app to connect.

So.. for the iPad to change the game it needs to be able to stay connected to crestrons xpanel or other control system equivalent. An end user needs to be able to pick it up, press the hard button to wake it up and have the ability to start operating their control system. While the waiting game is acceptable to the geeks of the world who get excited by technology there are millions who just want to watch TV and would never accept this klunky operation.

'Apps' from hardware manufacturers have been around for 2 decades. We call them IR files or serial modules. These files give us the ability to not only control everything, but to integrate everything. We can build macros and program specific buttons on each page to control whatever we want you cant add volume commands to the apple app from Lutron. That means that 20 year old technology beats the apps available from the apple store.

This is why its important to be able to launch and stay connected to xpanel. Anyone holding their breath waiting for all the manufacturers to get together and follow a standard to make macro creation and custom GUI page layout plug and play will die of asphyxiation. The idea that high end clients will 'live with' closing one app and waiting for the other to open is laughable.