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.

The Dude Abides

“If you will it, Dude, it is no dream.”

Those are the words that pop into my brain the first time I fire up Universal Remote Control’s MX-6000 to test out the better part of a week’s worth of tinkering and programming. And it’s not just because The Big Lebowski happens to be in my DVD player at the time. (It is. It always is.) I hear those words in my head because I realize that, for the first time, I’m not making excuses for a remote control.

Your iPhone now controls everything those big home automation touchscreens can — from anywhere in the world.

A recent innovation is going to make your life a whole lot better — or a whole lot worse.

It all depends on how you feel about the iPhone.

Virtual Panel Provides Complete Local or Remote Access to RTI Systems From Any PC

The Virtual Panel from Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI) allows users, either locally or remotely, to control and monitor a system based on an RTI XP series processor from any PC running Microsoft® Windows®. Providing secure local or remote access to an RTI system from any Internet connection, the Virtual Panel allows for LAN control and WAN control off-site. Fully configurable using the latest version of RTI's Integration Designer® software, the Virtual Panel control interface can be customized to accommodate any size laptop or monitor display and provides full two-way feedback from any RTI XP series control processor.

"There is a strong demand by consumers to have access to the electronic elements of their environment on other interfaces, such as desktops, laptops, and tablet devices," said Pete Baker, vice president of sales and marketing for RTI. "Our Virtual Panel meets this need and empowers users with the convenience of off-site control. Whether at work, on vacation, or anywhere in between, users can adjust thermostats, monitor security systems, turn off lights, and control much more, from any Internet-connected PC."

The Virtual Panel application can be exported as an executable file for use on other PCs. RTI's XP series processors will each include the ability to operate one LAN-based Virtual Panel per system at no cost. Additional WAN/LAN licenses are available at a nominal price of $149 per license.

RTI will also be bringing the power of its control solutions to the iPhone®, iPod touch®, and iPad® with the new RTiPanel app, which will be available at the beginning of 2011. With the app installed on any of these popular Apple® products, users will have complete control of their RTI systems from anywhere in the world when used with an RTI XP series control processor.

To learn more, click here:    

More Control System Power, Speed and Memory at Lower Price Point