iOS 4.2 in beta as HP printers get AirPrint

Apple today released a beta version of iOS 4.2 to developers that adds support for AirPrint, its new name for the wireless printing feature unveiled with iOS 4.2 at the start of the month. The feature finds any printers connected to the local Wi-Fi network and, when supported, prints without needing any special setup. The approach also allows for printing from a printer shared from a Mac or Windows computer.

AirPrint will work with any iOS device that already supports iOS 4 and is still slated to arrive in November.

In posting the beta, however, Apple noted that the initial plans will only explicitly support HP's ePrint line, such as the e-All-in-One. The printers had originally been limited to iOS printing through e-mail but will support direct printing through iOS 4.2. Other companies have yet to line up, and it's unclear whether the printers are the only ones compatible or if others will work without Apple's blessing.

By Electronista Staff