HP debuts new Web printer

HP on Monday morning launched a new $399 wireless all-in-one printer that offers integrated Web-access. The "HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web" enables users to easily navigate and print directly from specific web-enabled apps (no ability to surf the internet). The device features an embedded Linux client for access various Web-enabled apps along features a full touch-enabled 4.33-inch widescreen LCD with integrated access to various online services for easy printing. The company showcased full access to coupons.com along with ability to print coupons directly with a few-clicks. HP said that the printer includes full customizations to allow users to create apps and customize the printer via an included wizard that turns RSS feeds, documents, and more into apps. HP also said that it would offer a full suite of APIs for developers to build innovative applications to sell via the HP app store (HP later said all the apps would be "free").

HP says the new printer offers a new paradigm of printing -- without the consumer PC or other external device. Users can surf the web and quickly print items such as coupons (demonstration showed printing of coupons from Coupons.com), maps, movie tickets, and much more. Users of the all-in-one inkjet printer can also perform other functions such as faxing, copying, and scanning as well as printing laser-quality text documents and lab-quality photos.

Similar to other Internet-connected devices such as the iPhone, the apps are viewable on an extra-large, TouchSmart panel that can be manipulated with familiar "flick" gestures. Several apps are preloaded on the printer, but users also can download new ones as they become available at the HP Apps Studio. The initial bundled apps will include USA TODAY, Google, Fandango, Coupons.com, DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Web Sudoku and Weathernews Inc -- all of which will offer free access to customized daily news, maps, coupons, coloring pages, movie tickets, recipes, personal calendars, etc.

The new printers also will connect directly to a user’s Snapfish account to view, print and upload photos. Customers can also access projects from the HP Creative Studio and will be able to create and share their own apps to customize their printers through the HP Apps Studio starting in late 2009.  

The duplex, internet-enabled printer is expected to ship this fall for $399. It offers the flexibility to print directly from Wi-Fi-enabled PCs, and Bluetooth-enabled devices (as well as the Apple iPhone and the Apple iPod touch using HP iPrint Photo.

By Electronista Staff

Post tools:

TAGS :  

digital imaging, HP