Apple seed AirPrint to devs ahead of November release; HP ePrint first with printer support
Apple has confirmed that its AirPrint wireless printing functionality – which will allow iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users to wirelessly send print jobs from their devices – will be released in November as part of the iOS 4.2 update. Meanwhile the Cupertino company is also pushing out a beta version of the AirPrint technology to developers today, so that they can get their apps up to speed. Apple has also announced its initial printer hardware partner, with HP's ePrint range the first to take advantage of AirPrint.
HP's fall range of ePrint models will support AirPrint, including models in the Photosmart, Officejet, Officejet Pro and LaserJet Pro lines. If users haven't got an ePrint printer, they'll also be able to wirelessly send documents to a printer hooked up to a PC or Mac and shared with AirPrint.
AirPrint will work on iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (second generation and later). More on iOS 4.2 here.
Press Release:
Apple's AirPrint Wireless Printing for iPad, iPhone & iPod touch Coming to Users in NovemberAvailable First on HP ePrint Printers
CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Apple® today announced that it is releasing a beta version of its AirPrint wireless printing for iPad™, iPhone® and iPod touch® to members of Apple's iOS developer program today, and that AirPrint will be included in the free iOS 4.2 software update in November. AirPrint automatically finds printers on local networks and can print text, photos and graphics to them wirelessly over Wi-Fi without the need to install drivers or download software. HP's existing and upcoming ePrint enabled printers will be the first to support printing direct from iOS devices.
"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," said 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," said 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."
AirPrint is designed to support a wide range of printers from entry level inkjet printers to office laser printers. Additionally, iOS 4.2 devices can print to printers shared through a Mac® or a PC. iOS 4.2 compatible HP printers this fall include the HP Photosmart, Officejet, Officejet Pro and LaserJet Pro series ePrint enabled printers.
*AirPrint will work with iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (second generation and later).