a tasty Apple update
Apple says AirPrint will work with a wide range of printers, from inkjets to laser printers.
It’s true. The technology is both timely, and awesome.
This comes with iOS 4.2, as an update in November for the masses, but already here for the initiated, and includes the AirPrint capability for wireless printing. It will automatically find printers on local networks and send text, photos and graphics for printing over Wi-Fi.
It must be noted that long-time ally Hewlett-Packard (HP) is the first printer-maker to raise their hand and help support the driver-less development effort. HP is another great stock to be looking at today – and, tomorrow.
Nonetheless, I’m am quite pleased with my Sprint HTC EVO 4G hand device powered (great word for what it does and means, here) by Android.
This means Android will need to stretch all the further to compete. And, that’s great for all of us.
Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.
Brian Patrick Cork
Android phones have had this ability for quite a while now.
From your Evo’s Marketplace app, simply type in PrinterShare. Works like a charm. With PrinterShare, you can print to a printer across the hall or across the globe.
Correct Nicholas… And, thank you for the heads-up. Android has led this effort. It looks like Apple’s AirPrint will be a tad more solid, has a simpler interface in-line with the typical iOS (iPad and iPhone), and has the cache of HP’s rally. But, this ability across all platforms bodes well for us all.
Cork
How do you mean “more solid”? I haven’t had any issues with PrinterShare. And the interface is quite simple.
PrinterShare doesn’t require the cache of any printer manufacturer. I can print to an HP printer as easily as I print to a Brother or Epson. I’ve used it for six months, and I can’t recall a time that it didn’t work.
Yes! It’s really very exciting.
Android got the ball rolling, and we can expect a superior and likely more polished product from Apple. Another way to look at is Apple allowed Android to work out some kinks and then polished up the (well… Apple), and will come up with a better result.
But, the tug-of-war is great for us all. The consumer always wins when innovation is pushed one way and pulled another.
Let the “cake eaters” roll boulders down hill for us all (eh, Jamie Diamond?).
Cork