AMX has announced that its systems and devices are controllable by Apple’s much-discussed latest innovation, the iPad. The web surfing and entertainment-oriented touchscreen device was made available in the US on 3 April after a high-profile launch event presided over by Apple CEO Steve Jobs at the end of January.
Although the iPad has attracted criticism by industry observers and on internet forums for its perceived limitations – there is no camera, it can only run one application at a time and it does not support Flash – sales reached 300,000 on the first day of release alone.
As well as supporting integration with BlackBerry, Android-based and Windows-based technologies, AMX enables operation with Apple devices, including the iPad. The company currently offers integration technology that communicates in both directions – Apple to AMX, and AMX to Apple. Along with two applications (one pre-designed and one with a customisable interface) for using products like the Apple iPad to control an AMX system, AMX also provides applications that allow its technology to control music or video on Apple devices such as the iPod and Apple TV.
AMX chief technology officer Robert Noble commented: “AMX continues to champion a standards-based philosophy that simplifies technology integration, offers end-users more choices and expands automation technology awareness. We currently support the integration of most PCs, netbooks and tablets using browsers like Windows Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari. AMX also supports smart devices like cellphones that utilise Android, Apple OS, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile technologies, MP3 players and future connected devices that use web browsers and/or VNC applications.”
