HP brings printers that 'talk to cloud'

BANGALORE, INDIA: HP unveiled a new category of Web-enabled printing solutions designed for the cloud that will allow people to print from any e-mail device to any new ePrint-enabled printer from anywhere in the world through the new HP ePrint platform.

The new solutions will allow users to store documents or files in the cloud and print directly, when needed. Moreover, the new solutions help users to transform their printers into publishing platforms from which they can customize print apps and schedule timed delivery of content, such as news from msnbc.com and Yahoo! and creative after-school activities from Disney, directly to their home or business printers.

The Web-enabled printers will feature HP ePrintCenter, which helps manage and customize the printing experience. HP has also announced a full suite of Web-empowered e-All-in-One printers for home and business. These printers will be able to 'talk' to the 'Google Cloud' without requiring a local proxy PC or Web appliance, which means people will be able to access Google docs, photos and calendar directly from their printers.

A selection of new print apps from partners, such as Yahoo!, msnbc.com, Facebook, Live Nation, Crayola, Reuters, DocStoc and Picasa Web Albums will also be available.

“We are once again revolutionizing printing to make Web-empowered, cloud-enabled printing, the new industry standard,” said Vyomesh Joshi, executive VP–Imaging and Printing Group, HP.

“We know that our customers want an easy way to print their content, anywhere, anytime. We are making that a reality today by giving people the power to print from any Web-connected device, including smartphones, iPads, netbooks and more, to any printer in our portfolio above $99,” he added.

HP Web-connected products and services are supported by a digital print advertising platform that can be leveraged by print app partners. Customers can get premium content at no additional cost and brands can add value to their audience by populating select print content with customized messages, promotions and information like coupons or local services.

The HP ePrint platform allows people to send the files they want to print from their mobile devices. Every HP ePrint printer will have a unique simple e-mail address that allows the sender to deliver a print the same way they would send an e-mail message. Customers can also send documents to print through an HP ePrint mobile app on their smartphone device to a home, office or public print location such as a hotel. Customers will be able to send Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs and JPEG image files as well.