Jobs: "Lots More Coming Soon" To AirPrint
November 23, 2010
One the most heavily advertised features of iOS 4.2 is the introduction of AirPrint. The feature allows Apple device owners to print remotely.
According to Apple:
AirPrint makes it simple to print email, photos, web pages, and documents right from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. A few taps is all it takes to go from viewing it onscreen to holding a printed copy. There’s no software to download, no drivers to install, and no cables to connect.In reality, AirPrint in its current form won’t benefit most users. First, the list of AirPrint-enabled printers is quite short. It includes a few HP Photosmart and LaserJet models, all relatively new to the market.
Ok, so AirPrint’s removal from OS X 10.6.5 left a few people disappointed. Users were expecting to be able to print from iOS 4.2 to any printer shared through a Mac or PC, but the feature didn’t make the cut in the final version of 10.6.5. Sure, you can achieve the same functionality using 3rd party tools like Printopia, but unofficial tweaks — even if well developed and stable — are never quite like Apple’s own implementation. In the case of AirPrint, mostly because it takes huge resources and teams to achieve stable and fast driverless printing.Apple CEO Steve Jobs knows people aren’t happy with the current AirPrint limitations. He recently emailed a MacRumors forum member who was underwhelmed by the feature's limitations. According to MacRumors:
One MacRumors forum member emailed Steve Jobs about the future of AirPrint and reportedly received reassurance from the Apple CEO that the company will be expanding the feature "soon". Jobs also noted the difficulty in deploying driverless printing, hinting at a need for patience as the company continues to push forward.
- Q: You got me all hyped up about AirPrint. Now with iOS 4.2 released, I find out that I can only print on 11 select printers. Seriously?!
- A: Lots more coming soon. It's what it takes to make a giant leap to driverless printing, which is huge.
Hopefully "soon" means weeks and not months. For now, AirPrint is definitely for a select few and not for everyone with a printer.
