HP's TouchSmart Printers Print Web Content, No PC Required

Hewlett-Packard unveiled a new line of printers that allow you to access and print Web content from partners Google, Nickelodeon, and USA Today without a PC. The new printer line, unveiled at an event in San Francisco today, is part of a new HP printer technology called TouchSmart Web.

The printers take advantage of the HP's TouchSmart screen and software technology, first seen in the TouchSmart series of all-in-one PCs. Printers outfitted with this TouchSmart Web will feature a Web-connected touch LCD display mounted on the front of the printer, allowing you to navigate a list of HP applications for printing maps, Snapfish photos, or coupons.

Central to the new platform is the launch HP Apps Studio, which allows the printer to expand its range of content that can be downloaded from the Web and printed as new content applications become available.

The HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web will be the first printer in the line. Due this fall, the printer will be priced at $399, and will have a 4.3-inch touchscreen and integrated memory, so the printer can connect wirelessly to the Web and access apps for direct-from-Web printing. This approach eliminates the need to fire-up your computer to print Fandango tickets or grocery coupons, for example. The printer will support fax, copy, scan, and duplex printer, too.

The Power of Apps

Whereas the word "application" feels stodgy, Apple's iPhone has made "apps" attractive and hip, even for the mainstream consumer that doesn't think in terms of antiquated computing terms.

HP takes full advantage of the "app" rage to develop a new app platform that can be customized to fit your lifestyle and needs. They're on to something--although this feels like it's 15 years too late. Customizable news content you can print on-demand, for example, was available via CompuServe a decade and a half-ago, but it was no mass-market implementation.

Now, though, you'll be able to walk right up to your printer, and print what you need, without launching your PC (which involves both the actual process of launching the PC as well as the process of trying to stay focused on the "one" thing you booted up for to begin with).

The HP App Studio supports open APIs to encourage developers to create content; individuals will be able to create and share their own apps later this year. The launch partners announced today include USA Today, Google, Fandango, Coupons.com, DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Web Sudoku, and Weathernews.

The apps that these first partners will offer will enable direct access to maps, printing customized daily news, coupons, coloring pages, movie tickets, recipes, and personal calendars. Additional apps will be available as new developers come on board; HP says apps will be free for consumers to download.

"We don't want to make any trade-off to buy this Web connectivity," said Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president of HP's Imaging and Printing Group. At the event, Joshi declined to discuss the actual business model behind the App Studio., but in the output examples, sidecar on-page advertising opportunities appear viable.

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