Satellite television provider Dish Network has rolled out a version of its Remote Access application for the iPad with plans to include live video streaming by September.

The Dish Remote Access application currently lets consumers use their iPads as an advanced remote control that includes a full set of DVR management features. In addition, the planned upgrade would integrate technology from TV streaming service Slingbox so subscribers can watch television anywhere.

?We?ve been pushing this ?TV Everywhere? concept,? said Francie Bauer, corporate communications manager at Dish Network, Meridian, CO. ?We don?t think satellite TV is going away, but we also understand that people appreciate the ability to watch TV anywhere.?

Dish Network already offers versions of the Remote Access application for the iPhone and iPod touch, and plans to extend to BlackBerry and Android platforms this fall.

Remote access
The Remote Access application is a fully-functional remote DVR scheduler, available for free in Apple?s App Store.

At present, the application does not have any streaming video functionality, although that is planned for inclusion in an upgrade, tentatively scheduled   for September.

Dish Network subscribers can use the application to browse through TV schedules and pick and choose which programs they wish to record with their DVR.

Users can sort programming by time or by category to find the programs they want to record.

Some of the additional features of the application include:

? Schedule DVR recordings on multiple receivers

? Delete timers

? Browse and search nine days of shows

? Manage DVR libraries

Additionally, consumers can use the iPad as a remote control to change channels, browse program guides, start playing recorded programs, as well as other standard remote navigation features such as fast-forward, rewind and pause.

Dish Network is promoting the application through its Web site and email marketing, and targeting a tech-savvy consumer.

Streaming live video
Mobile data and video usage is increasing, according to ABI Research (see story).

Several television networks (see story) and movie studios (see story) have already launched applications that let mobile users view content on the go.

Once the Remote Access upgrade is released, Dish Network subscribers with Slingboxes or the network?s high-end DVR package will be able to stream video directly to their iPads.

Dish Networks already makes live mobile streaming available via SlingPlayer Mobile.

However, that application costs consumers $29.99, whereas video streaming on the Remote Access iPad application will be free to all Dish Network subscribers.

?Dish Network has positioned itself as a value provider,? Ms. Bauer said. ?With the popularity of mobile devices, and new applications and things like that, this will give us the ability to reach a more mainstream consumer.

?Technology is very important to us,? she said. ?This gives us a platform to really get out there and help folks understand out exciting our technology is.?

Final Take
Peter Finocchiaro, editorial assistant at Mobile Marketer, New York