iPad May Actually Be Increasing Sales of Dedicated Tablet Remotes.

When the iPad hit store shelves and created a mass following two years ago, I was one of many who figured it was the end to the expensive touchscreen controllers in our industry. Well, now that the dust has settled it’s beginning to look like the iPad may have actually been beneficial to our industry versus hurting it. I have more clients asking about full system control via a touchpad now then ever before thanks to the popularity of and increasing awareness of the iPad and it’s competitor tablets.

Last week industry mainstay URC showed off a 7″ capacitive-touch panel as part of the companies new Total Control lineup. Not to be outdone, Control4 also has a new touchscreen controller coming out as part of it’s whole house automation line.

I can certainly envision a future home having touchpad controllers mounted on walls that are dedicated to just the home system, seurity, cameras, music etc. Then a separate iPad type tablet for use with cruising the internet, controlling the home theater or cable box etc.. It certainly looks like there will be room for both types of tablet in a automated home.