I think it is just forward thinking on the part of Epson. There is not only IP control, but since it does accept firmware updates, it means that at some point IP updates COULD be added as a feature.
For the most part, if you aren't connecting your projector to a monitoring or control system and it doesn't have streaming apps built in that you want to use, then you can leave the projector offline completely. Same with your television and other gear.
