TiVo releases its free iPad app to replace TiVo Premiere users' remotes

Apple sold more than 7 millions iPads just in the fourth quarter of 2010, a fact that hasn't escaped the notice of seemingly every pay TV provider and related service. TiVo is the latest company to introduce an iPad app that turns the tablet into a deluxe remote control, or "command central" in TiVo's own words.

The TiVo Premiere app basically recreates the TiVo guide on the iPad, letting you browse and start playback of recorded programs, schedule both one-time and Season Pass recordings, and delete recordings you no longer want. You can also use the app to search by actor, director or movie or TV title, not only across broadcast programming, but also online streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand. Finally, you can post to Facebook or Twitter about what you're watching directly from the app.

The Tivo Premiere app is free and available now from the iTunes App Store, but it's still missing one key feature: The ability to stream video straight to your iPad, even if it's restricted to within the user's home. It's a similar problem plaguing other remote apps from Comcast and Verizon FiOS, and time will tell if version 2 of the app will add this much-desired feature.