TiVo Latest to Turn iPad Into a $500-Plus Remote Control

Given much of the TV industry’s embrace of the iPad, it was just a matter of time before TiVo delivered an app for that (see Comcast To Flip Video To iPad, Verizon Sets Live TV iPad App For FiOS, NDS Bites Into ‘Mango’, Comcast, CableLabs Click On iPad Remotes, TWC Developing An iPad App For TV, Too and Cable Programmers Latch On To iPad Hype).

The TiVo Premiere App lets users search and browse TV listings and DVR recordings, schedule recordings and perform other tasks using the iPad’s touchscreen.

It also lets you share comments via Facebook or Twitter about shows you are currently watching (or, of course, you could also just update your status the old-fashioned way).

TiVo said the app will be available for free from the Apple iTunes App store “in the coming weeks.”

It’s part of TiVo’s efforts to reel in new customers. The company for a limited time is giving away a Premiere DVR for “free” if users sign a two-year contract for $19.99 per month (the regular subscription fee is $12.95). With a one-year commitment at $19.99 per month, the Premiere is $99.99 and the Premiere XL with 1 Terabyte of storage is $299.99.

The Washington Post’s Rob Pegoraro recommends that you don’t take TiVo up on those offers, as you’ll pay more in monthly fees after two years than you’ll save up-front. In any case, they expire Dec. 31, 2010 (see TiVo Slashes DVR Prices In Holiday Promo).