One of the leaders in mobile printing services, HP, has added support for Google’s Cloud Print, allowing smartphones and tablet users to print documents from applications such as Gmail and Google Docs.
Users can remotely print documents from applications on select HP printers with the ePrint capability, in which an email with print instructions is sent directly to the printer. The mobile application needs to have Google’s Cloud Print extensions.
Google has already integrated Cloud Print in its Gmail and Google Docs applications, and will add extensions to more software in the future. The Cloud Print service also works with laptops based on the Chrome OS, which is not yet available on commercial laptops.
Users have to add the email address of an HP EPrint-enabled Photosmart, Envy, Officejet or LaserJet printer to a unique Google account tied to a smartphone or tablet. Multiple printers can be tied to one Google account, and on pushing the print command, users will be able to select the printer of choice. If a printer is powered down, the command will be added to a print queue.
HP has already enabled remote printing for mobile devices like Research In Motion’s BlackBerry smartphones. Users of iPhone and iPad can also wirelessly print documents directly on HP printers.
HP is also adding Internet connectivity to more printers. In September 2010, it announced the PhotoSmart eStation allin-one printer, which included an Androidbased tablet that served as a control panel, Web browser and e-reader.
