Can the ipad be a productivity improvement tool for software developers. What tools are out there to help while being away from my main work station or laptop ?
Are there remote tools available and is touch screen in this case a positive or negative factor ?
I use iTap RDP. I VPN in and use that app to get instant access to my workstation without actually having to be there. I wouldn't do a lot of work there, but it's great for doing those one or two things that 'gee if I was at my desk...' could solve.
"...help while being away..." Help with what?
Most of your stadard remote tools are available (SSH, RDP, VNC) but I would think in general they would be a lot more beneficial to sysadmins who can resolve problems without being at their desk, or in the office (Jump Desktop + VPN + 3G = WIN when a service crashes when you are at a conference).
However, I don't see how it would help with software development at all.