Almost any device with email connectivity – from PCs and laptops to mobile phones and tablet computers – can send documents to one of HP's forthcoming printers. The new HP ePrint platform uses 'cloud computing' to receive documents from anywhere in the world.
Each compatible printer will have its own unique email address, allowing users to print a document simply by sending an email. (Full details of the way this'll work haven't been explained yet). An HP ePrint mobile application will offer additional options. Customers will be able to send a range of popular document formats including Microsoft Office files, Google Docs, Adobe PDFs and JPEG images.
In addition, a new HP service called Scheduled Delivery will allow customers to register at ePrintCenter and choose content to be 'pushed' to a printer at a specific time each day or week; for example, printing a customised news feed to read in the morning.
The new range of web-connected HP Photosmart printers will be available in the USA from $99 this month and worldwide from $149 in August.