The folks at HP on Tuesday unveiled a series of new relationships and solutions designed to open up web printing to the masses by enabling people to print customized content how, when and where they choose. Dubbed as a ‘print app marketplace’, this could be the new era of consumer printing which allows customers to print specialized content sans a PC. The US tech giant is partnering with AOL to bring embedded print customization tools to AOL sites and a deal between HP and Flickr has been clinched. The agreement will expand print services for Flickr members worldwide through Snapfish by HP. Other companies which are part of the bevy of partnerships include Disney, Tabbloid and an App Studio Portal.
HP’s new print app is a lightweight and impressive software which allows users to print custom content without the need of a PC – just a HP printer. HP is working with AOL to embed the Tabbloid publishing service across the AOL network – including its RSS feeds – allowing people to print customized newsletters tailored to their interests. Flickr, one of the world’s largest photo sharing communities, will expand its print offering and experiences for members through Snapfish.
With a vision in mind to enable consumers to print anywhere, anytime, Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, HP said “Today’s announcement is a major step forward in our Print 2.0 strategy, we knew the web would be the future of the printed page and now, with 50 percent of everything that is printed coming from the web.”
HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web, the first web-connected home printer, is currently available on shelves for $399. This ultimate all-in-one device not only offers versatility with print, fax, copy and scan functionalities but also provides on-demand, one-touch access to relevant, printable content from the web in a convenient format.
However, the question is “As a consumer, will you print custom content from the Web?“. Share your views in the comments.