Hewlett-Packard, Samsung, Xerox and Canon have created the latest standard for the mobile industry, Mopria, which aims to make it easy to print from smartphones.
The group has developed a set of interfaces that supports simplified printing from most mobile operating systems, and allows apps developers to include the capability easily too. Various mechanisms can be used, including Wi-Fi Direct and NFC (tapping a printer with an NFC handset). The end result is similar to Apple’s AirPrint, but can be used across different platforms. Samsung has announced support from its Galaxy S4 and Note 3 models.
“If you are a printer vendor, and if you are solely attached to a PC, where is your future? We are moving from a device that is a PC peripheral to a mobile companion,” said Phil McCoog, a distinguished technologist with HP’s printing business. “You need to be print or you’re going to force people to go back to their PC when they want or need to print.”