HP Unveils Mobile Printing Solutions
In a Monday press conference in New York City, HP unveiled new printers, print apps, and a platform for running workflow solutions on older hardware.
The product that's getting the most attention is the HP Photosmart eStation All-in-One, which is priced at $399 and comes with a detachable, 7-inch color tablet, which can serve as a browser. The HP Photosmart eStation is one among many devices running HP ePrint, which simplifies the experience of printing from mobile devices. This includes devices running Apple iOS 4.2, HP Photosmart devices and Blackberry smartphones. Though HP acquired WebOS along with Palm, it has yet to integrate its own operating system with Web-based applications and devices.
These devices are connected to a series of new HP Laserjet, Officejet, and Designjet printers based on the HP Open Extensibility Platform and HP FutureSmart Firmware, intended for HP Managed Print Services, including Dynamic Marketing, Security and Web-based collaboration solutions for design professionals.
In addition, Web-connected Officejet printers for SMB customers will offer integrated wired and wireless networking for multiple PCs and Envy Web-connected all-in-one Envy printers will include a full-functioning scanner and a 3.5-inch display control panel.
HP is developing software and content with 45 partners, including an application allowing customers of Delta Air Lines to print boarding passes, and a Bing Maps application for printing maps and driving directions.
"HP is unleashing innovation and has once again made the future a reality," Vyomish Joshi, HP executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group said in a press release. "We have transformed the flow of content for all customers letting them access, share, print and manage content virtually anytime or anywhere in the world."