When you mean about it , it ’s awful how much real work you may get done with just an iPhone , iPad , or iPod touch . you may create , read , and edit everything from documents to electronic mail and spreadsheet from just about anywhere .
A raw print push appears when you tap the Share ikon .
But let ’s confront it , beautiful as it is , the iPhone ’s filmdom does n’t allow you to view much of a large spreadsheet or document all at once . Sometimes you just need a backbreaking copy . While you’re able to get most anything from your iOS equipment to a pressman , it can be a clunky , time consuming hassle . That explains why AirPrint was the one of the most anticipated features of iOS 4.2 , the novel operating system for Apple ’s peregrine devices . At launch , however , AirPrint is so modified as to be of minuscule use to most people .
A new print button appears when you tap the Share icon.
How limited ? At this time , AirPrint will make with just five late printers from HP . regrettably , it appear that a lineament that would grant you to publish from an iOS gadget to a pressman shared on the meshwork by a host Mac has been , at the very leastdelayed , if not dropped entirely .
The lack of printing capability has been a painful spot for many iOS equipment owners . Several printing machine company , like HP , Epson , Kodak , and Brother , have taken it upon themselves to release apps to countenance photo impression from an iOS gimmick to specific models when both are connected to the same wireless meshing . Third party apps have also stepped in and attempted to fill this feature muddle , but they could be expensive and involve download and go software on a host Mac to which a printing machine must be attach .
While we wait and see what features succeeding releases of the iOS bring , here ’s how to print using iOS 4.2 today .
Select the printer you want, the number of copies you need and hit Print.
First , you ’ll involve a handful of thing :
Select the pressman you want , the bit of copies you ask and hit Print .
1. iOS 4.2 installed on a compatible device
iPad , iPhone 4 , iPhone 3GS , or iPod touch ( third generation and later )
2. AirPrint compatible HP printer:
3. Wireless network
Once you have your iPod , iPad , or iPhone updated and connected to a wireless internet , you should see a new entry titled Print when clicking the Sharing carte picture in Mail , Safari , and Photos . AirPrint now work with Safari , Mail , Photos , iWork , and third - party apps with built - in printing process .
Click the Print button and a Printer Options menu will appear , allowing you to select a printer and to choose the number of copies you want to print .
The Print Center shows you how many mark orders you have in the queue .
The Print Center shows you how many print orders you have in the queue.
If you ’ve already opt a printing machine , its name will seem . Otherwise , hit Select Printer and AirPrint scans your wireless connection for a compatible printer — at this level , one of the five HP printer note previously .
Select the printer you need , the number of copies you need , and hit Print .
And it just works . you could view or cancel your pending mark jobs — and I received a placard when the HP Envy began run low on ink .
Using AirPrint with the iPad is much the same as on the iPhone—only bigger.
Of course this suave , yet special functionality just make us want more — more compatible printing machine from different vender , more apps with printing service of process , and more ascendency over print quality . The ability to print in grayscale to salve ink would also be welcome .
HP will be offering firmware updates for a number of its elder example in the months ahead . Let ’s trust other troupe postdate its principal , and that Apple fulfills the promise of transverse - platform wireless pressman sharing in the calendar week and months ahead .
Using AirPrint with the iPad is much the same as on the iPhone — only bigger .
[ Updated with new entropy at 1:30 p.m. PST . ]
