HP ePrint: printers becoming "Cloud Aware"

HP has unveiled a new printing option, HP ePrint, which should allow you to print from any Internet connected device to any online printer.

The future of printing is on the Internet, via communications. Like other uncommunicative devices, the printer has to adapt to information sharing, although not just around a computer and small network but on a global scale via the Internet.

HP has jumped on the current transformations brought about by cloud computing and data storage. The American group has announced a range of printers based on the HP ePrint platform that are capable of directly communicating with the Google Cloud without having to pass via an intermediary computer.

Printing documents and photos stored on Google Docs can be done from any device which has access, without having to be connected to the printer. Coming partnerships will allow for associations with other companies.

"We know that our customers want an easy way to print their content, anywhere, anytime," said Vyomesh Joshi, EVP of the Imaging and Printing Group at HP. "We're making that a reality today by giving people the power to print from any web-connected device - Smartphone’s, iPads, netbooks and more - to any printer in our portfolio above $99. The world has changed."

The HP ePrint solution will be associated to each individual printer connected to the internet, with a simple email address being used as an identifier. To remotely print a document, you simply have to send a compatible document (Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDF files and JPEG picture format) to the corresponding email address.

The HP ePrintCenter constitutes various hub services, bringing with it value added functions by assuring customised printing options, updates and suggested printing applications.


New printing tools, new services being studied
HP is also testing a service called "Scheduled Delivery" which allows you to print content at a regular hour, like an RSS stream for example, which the user then just needs to pick up to read on public transport, for example, allowing for content to be available without having to create it on a daily basis.

This is also a way of staying up to date with printed information when on the move, rather than being left behind due to not having access to digital content, unless you have a cellular digital device (like the Kindle).

This range of connected printers will belong to the HP Photosmart All-in-One family and will exist in four models ranging from 99 to 299 dollars. The first will be available in August 2010, while the others will follow after the summer.