Professionals who are constantly on the go, may many a times have to print documents urgently. Apple recognizes this need and thus has unveiled a printing solution which allowed them to print documents wirelessly with Wi-Fi from their iPhones. The company has made the beta version of the AirPrint wireless printing available to Apple’s iOS developer program members and has announced that it will be integrated in the iOS 4.2 free software update by November.
AirPrint locates printers on local networks and subsequently enables iPhone owners to print text, graphics and photos. Users need not download any software or install drivers to pair their device with the printer. Currently, it supports existing and forthcoming ePrint enabled printers from HP.
“AirPrint is Apple’s powerful new printing architecture that matches the simplicity of iOS—no set up, no configuration, no printer drivers and no software to download,” statesd Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users can simply tap to print their documents or photos wirelessly to an HP ePrint printer or to a printer shared on a Mac or PC.”
“We’re pleased to work with Apple to bring Apple’s AirPrint to our fall lineup of ePrint printers in time for the holiday shopping season,” asserted Vyomesh Joshi, HP executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group. “Making it easy for our customers to print anytime, anywhere, is a key priority for HP. iPad, iPhone and iPod touch customers are going to love how easy it is to print using our new range of ePrint printers, creating high-quality printed pages in an instant.”
This Apple offering has been optimized to render support to a myriad of printers beginning from the normal inkjet printers to office laser printers. Moreover, devices operating on iOS 4.2 can also print from printers which have been shared via Mac or PC. HP printers that will be compatible with iOS 4.2 this fall comprise of HP Officejet, Officejet Pro, Photosmart, along with LaserJet Pro series ePrint enabled printers.
AirPrint can work with both iPhone 4 and 3GS coupled with other Apple devices like the iPad as well as second generation or higher iPod Touch.