How many times can Netflix (r)evolutionize movie watching? We thought the rent-by-mail with no late fees was cool. So was being able to stream to your Blu-ray player and gaming console. Now it appears you’ll be able to marry your brand spanking new Apple iPad with Netflix for a movie-viewing lovefest on the portable device’s 9.7-inch screen.

The free Netflix app for the iTunes store was released on April 1 this week and doesn’t appear to be an April Fool’s joke.

It appears to have some pretty nifty features to basically mimic your experience of the Watch Instantly for your PC, like being able to browse and manage your queue and even pick up on the iPad where you may have left off watching in the living room.

Here’s how the Application Description reads:
Get Netflix on your iPad. Just download this free app and you can instantly watch TV shows & movies streaming from Netflix.
-Watch as often as you want
-It’s part of your Netflix unlimited membership
-Resume watching where you left off on your TV or computer
-Browse movies and manage your Queue right from your iPad

And the app is rated 12+, obviously, because we’re not all watching Disney cartoons.

So is this the so-called killer app? Thousands of movies and TV shows in the palm of your hands, on a much nicer screen than what an iPhone/iPod touch can offer?

According to Slashfilm.com, ABC also has an app so you can watch the broadcast network’s streaming episodes, and the New York Times has reported that mega streaming video site Hulu is also planning on unleashing an iPad app. That certainly would be huge, but apparently might also be tied into Hulu’s testing the paid subscription waters. Still, we’re guessing plenty of people would throw in a few bucks a month to access Hulu, especially if they’re able to right from their iPad.

Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!