In small businesses smartphones and tablets are rapidly overtaking desktops and laptops, but while they are a boon for mobile productivity, are also a disadvantage in relation to a common activity that office workers often take for sat: print.
Generate a paper document into a conventional computer is simple, but not much if done from a phone or a tablet. The good news is that many technologies let you print from a mobile device, but you will use depends on several factors: the type of device you have, the type of printer you have, and even where you are (at home, office or on the street) when you need to print the boarding pass, that contract, photo or presentation.
Do not stress; We've done the work for you. Here is a summary of mobile printing options for iPhone, iPad and Android phones or tablets.
Mobile printing options for small businesses
Apple AirPrint
computadorAirPrint phone and Apple offers the easiest way to print from an iOS device (eg iPhone or iPad). Requires a compatible printer application and a recent iOS device: works on iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, 5, and all iPad models (minimum requirement is iOS 4.2 and Apple recommends installing the latest version that supports the device, currently version 6.0.2).
Image 1: Assuming that your printer supports AirPrint, this application is relatively easy to print from an iPhone or iPad form, but the device and printer must be on the same network.
AirPrint also requires the iPhone / iPad and the printer are connected to the same wireless network. This does not necessarily mean that the printer must be connected via Wi-Fi (also works for Ethernet), but must be connected directly to the network, instead of being connected to a computer on the network (for example via USB).
There are available many models compatible with this application from manufacturers such as Brother, Epson, HP and Lexmark, as well as those specializing in enterprise printing systems, such as Lanier, Ricoh and Savin (see our list of compatible models AirPrint ).
And taking prerequisites for using this application is very easy to use. Unlike some mobile printing technologies that will review later, you do not have to explicitly enable AirPrint printer or download a special application for your mobile device.
All iOS applications that can print (Mail, Photos, Safari and iBooks) application support, as well as several third-party applications. From within the application, you only have to press the print button and you should see your printer listed. If your printer is compatible with the application is not detected, check if firmware updates are available, as some models received the update supports AirPrint after originally went on sale.
Google Cloud Print
Google's Android operating system does not yet provide an integrated printing technology analogous to AirPrint, but a way to print from an Android phone or tablet is through the Google Cloud Print service.
Figure 2: You can print remotely from an Android phone or tablet to a printer with Google Cloud Print. It works with any printer to a computer that has the Chrome browser is connected.
Google Cloud Print has substantial differences with AirPrint. First, with Cloud Print you will not have to be necessarily in the same signal as the printer that you will use; It is web-based, so the printer can be virtually anywhere, provided you have an internet connection.
Second, although some printers (not many) have native support for Google Cloud Print, the application also serves in any accessible printer from a Windows, Mac or Linux to make use of Google Chrome browser. This computer must be on and connected to the Internet to Cloud Print works, but the printer itself can directly connect to the computer via USB instead of to the network.
While AirPrint requires little or no previous configuration, Google Cloud Print does need some adjustments. First you must go to site ready for printing in the cloud Google to see if yours has built-in support printers, and if so follow the setup instructions given for your model (the printer basically be connected to your Google Account and register with the Service Cloud Print). Otherwise, follow these steps that tell you how to set up a "classic" printer to work with Cloud Print (remember that first need to have installed Chrome browser).
After configuring the printer you need to install the Cloud Print compatible application on your Android device (this because the printing is not included by default in the operating system). Google does not offer an own printing application, but there are several third party applications available. One that is worth trying is a convenient app called Cloud Print, which is currently in beta and is available for free (with advertising).
Image 3: You Because Android does not have an integrated printing system, you'll need a third party application (like Cloud Print) to print documents.
That is, printing with this app is not as elegant as AirPrint. For example, whatever you want to print often be done using the "share" of a particular application (you share something in Cloud Print and application sends it to your printer). Moreover, some elements such as SMS messages can only be printed from within the Cloud Print application. It also has other limitations, such as the application can only print attachments to e-mail and not the message itself.
Tools mobile printing printer manufacturers
In addition to the support they have (or not have) AirPrint and Google Cloud Print, most printer manufacturers also provide their own tools for mobile printing, which can be helpful if you need to print from your smart phone or tablet. Capacities vary by manufacturer and model of printer, but most of the first printing provide functions similar to those offered by AirPrint and Google Cloud Print, as local or remote printing using a machine connected directly to a network or connected to a computer.
You may specific mobile technologies impression of a manufacturer also offer extra features, like the ability to scan documents directly to a mobile device or print documents remotely by sending a single email address assigned to your printer.
4: Epson Connect is one of the several free services available printer manufacturers that allow local printing and / or remote from iOS, Android or other mobile device.
All mobile products and services listed above are free and work on both iOS and Android, but few support additional mobile operating systems like BlackBerry (HP) or Windows Phone (Brother). Find your printer manufacturer in the list below and click on the links for detailed information on features and hardware compatibility, along with the mobile application downloads.
- Brother iPrint and Scan
- Canon Mobile Printing
- Epson Connect
- Lexmark Mobile Printing App
- HP ePrint
- Samsung Mobile Print App
- Xerox PrintBack
Overall, mobile printing tools Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print and other printer manufacturers provide you many ways to generate a printed document from your smart phone or tablet when you need. Enjoy your impressions!