Sure it's cool and trendy, but what can the iPad do for the A/V Enthusiast? Well, quite a lot it turns out.

Somewhere after the time the fanboy lines abate and before it cures cancer or something, the iPad turns out to be a ridiculously useful device for the ePerson.

Countless "Best Of" articles have been written about the apps, but none have been aimed at you, the HE reader.

Admittedly this is because we haven't written anything yet, but behold—it is so written!

Start with some Control
Many, many, (many) companies are coming out with iPad apps that specifically let you control their products. I can't cover them all, and seeing as more are coming out each day, I'm likely to miss a few. So here are the coolest Apps so far that let you use the iPad as an inexpensive, home touchscreen controller.

Remote (Free, iPad/iPhone/touch)
Everyone, and I mean everyone, should download this App. It's free, it works on all three of Apple's touchscreen devices and it's awesome. Quite simply it allows you to control iTunes or Apple TV from your device. Even better, it's a two-way street, displaying the cover art for what's playing. If your current implementation of "whole-home audio" is a pair of really loud speakers, this is the App for you. Change tracks, select songs and so on anywhere in the house or wherever your WiFi reaches.

Crestron Mobile/Mobile Pro (Free/$99.99, iPad/iPhone/touch)
There are few names in automation more recognizable than Crestron. Their App comes in two flavors, free and not. The free App lets you talk to your Crestron system at home while you're away. You can adjust lighting/shades, climate and security controls. An authorized dealer needs to upload a control module to your system before the App will work. So that cost probably isn't free. The $99.99 App goes more in-depth, with presets and control over all aspects of your Crestron system, including whatever media sources you have (iPod, XM, etc.)

Savant ROSIE 4i ($4.99, iPad)
The ROSIE 4i App basically turns the iPad into a complete Savant touchpanel. The user interface gives you control over all aspects of your Savant ROSIE or PROTEGE home automation system.

Control4 My Home (Free, iPad)
Using the user-friendly interface Control4 is known for, the My Home App looks like any other touchpanel. In fact, it pretty much is when running this App. You can use it for control of all aspects of your Control4 system: lighting, climate, security, media and so on. A similar iPhone/touch App is also available.

Sonos Controller (Free, iPad)
Building on their iPhone App, the Sonos Controller for the iPad takes advantage of the extra screen resolution with cover art, tracks, sources and rooms all available at the same time. So playing NPR in the den and Sex Pistols in the kitchen is only a drag and tap away.

Entertain mE
Controlling your system is one thing, but being the entertainment itself is another.

NetFlix (Free-ish, iPad)
As long as you have a Netflix subscription that allows streaming, you can access all their streaming content via the iPad. This is the future of entertainment, folks. While you still can't be sure they'll have the movie you want to watch available for streaming, the amount of available content keeps expanding. There are tons of cool documentaries and TV shows that I never would have watched otherwise, all for "free." Total coolness.

Pandora Radio and Slacker Radio (Free, iPad/iPhone/touch)
Pandora and Slacker are internet radio stations with a twist. You tell them the music you like, and it will play that music, plus other bands you may have never heard of that are similar—a  fantastic way to find new music. This is a must for all those malcontents who say there's no good music these days. A few hours with either of these and if you don't find a new band to like, I don't know what's wrong with you.

I recommend them both, as if you listen to them constantly, you're bound to start hearing the same stuff. For $3.99 a month with Slacker, you get unlimited song skipping (more useful than you may think), unlimited song requests, no ads and song lyrics. For $36 a year, Pandora will give you higher bitrate for the audio (192k), no ads and unlimited listening (free users are limited to 40 hours a month, which they claim few ever exceed). Also available on other smartphones. Try it, you'll love it.

Hulu Plus ($9.99/month, iPad/iPhone/touch)
While $9.99 a month may seem steep, you get access to back seasons of a bunch of shows, in addition to the full seasons of current shows, all in HD. It's also the only real way to get the Hulu catalog (i.e. NBC, Fox, and so on) onto the iPad. Along with the NetFlix and free ABC App (oh yeah, there's a free ABC App), the addition of Hulu gives you access to nearly everything on the major networks all on your iPad. Hulu Plus also works on Samsung TVs and BD Players. Eventually it will also be available on Sony and Vizio TVs and BD players and the PS3 and Xbox 360. 

DirecTV/DISH Remote Access/Comcast Mobile/AT&T U-Verse Mobile Remote Access/et. al., App (Free, iPad/iPhone/touch)
Each offers browsing of the channel guide and the ability to set records. The DISH Network App adds management of the content on the DVR and can be used as a remote. The Comcast App adds access to your e- and voice mail. The AT&T App also lets you manage the content on the DVR. As of this writing, there was no TimeWarner, Cablevision or Cox App. The Charter App only lets you browse the channel guide. If you have a different provider, it's worth checking if they have an App.

SlingPlayer Mobile ($29.99, iPad/iPhone/touch)
If you have a SlingBox, this App lets you access any of your home content that's connected to it from your Apple device. A pretty badass product, though having to pay for the App after you've already paid for the box is a bummer. Also available for other smartphones.

And a bit of everything else

Ultimate Ears App (Free, iPad/iPhone)
The coolest part of this app is the built-in SPL meter. I wouldn't use it to replace your Radio Shack meter any time soon, but in a pinch or to set up your friend's horrid A/V system, go for it.

StumbleUpon (Free, iPad)
If you value your free time, DON'T GET THIS. I've lost hours to StumbleUpon, and the iPad makes it just that much easier. After you program in a number of topics you're interested in, you press the button, and it sends you to websites that not only would you never have found on your own, but are actually interested in. Even better, the sites are rated by you and everyone else who uses it, so the coolest sites get rewarded with more traffic. Guaranteed to find you the coolest websites and content you've ever seen.

The Elements: A Visual Exploration ($13.99, iPad)
As an inveterate science geek, this App is total nerd-cool. It’s a periodic table, with images and tons of cool data about all the elements. Even though this is coming from someone with a periodic table t-shirt, it is cool nonetheless.

Epicurious (Free, iPad/iPhone/touch)
Free recipes, with shopping lists and everything. The iPad version is even cooler, of course, thanks to more screen real estate to see images, ingredients and instructions at the same time.

Dream Home HD ($0.99, iPad/iPhone/touch)
A simple program to give you ideas for different rooms in your house.

Pretty much any iPhone app will work with the iPad (everything will often just be larger). For our previous coverage of iPhone Apps, check out iPhone Home Automation Control Apps.

And hey, while you're at it, check out the Home Entertainment Interiors iPad App!