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Printer for self-destructing photos brings Snapchat to real life
Normally, you print things out to get a permanent copy. Not with Diego Trujillo Pisanty's new printer, however. His This Tape Will Self-Destruct art project coats its printouts (in this case, Cold War pictures) with glycerol and potassium salt, triggering an exothermic reaction that burns the paper within moments after you read it. Think of it as a real-world Snapchat where photos literally disappear in a puff of smoke.
Arduino's new 3D printer lets you modify just about everything
If you're a fan of Arduino's tinker-friendly approach to computing, you'll be glad to hear that it's now extending that open philosophy to 3D printers. The company has teamed up with Sharebot to unveil the Materia 101, a small (5.5 inches by 4 inches) printer that's built to be both friendly to beginners and very accessible. You can modify the code on the underlying Arduino Mega mini-PC, of course, but you also have access to the full schematics of the printer -- you can upgrade it or even make your own, if you have the know-how and parts. Arduino hasn't said when it plans to ship the Materia, but it'll be available both as a build-it-yourself kit (priced under $800) and fully assembled (under $1,000).
There's a Canon printer that can run 'Doom' (really)
It's been over twenty years since the original Doom first hit PCs, and we're still obsessed with getting the damned thing running on just about everything with a processor. See that tiny screen up there? That's a Canon PIXMA printer that's been coaxed into running the classic shoot-em-up, thanks to a bit of elbow grease and an once-insecure web interface that lets users remotely print test pages and download firmware updates. Since you didn't need to punch in a username and password to access that interface, security researcher Michael Jordon used that oversight to get the lowly-printer to executing foreign code. The end result? Yet another device we can use in our apparently never-ending war against hellspawn (though the color palette does get a little screwy sometimes). Naturally, don't expect to pull the same fast one on your own for much longer -- Canon plans to release a fix the issue as soon as it's "feasible".
Little Printer will stop working next March as its creator shuts down
Bad news if you own Berg's super-cute, internet-savvy Little Printer: it might not be not long for this world. The company is going into "hibernation" after it couldn't sustain a business based on connected devices, and its current plan has Little Printer services shutting down on March 31st, 2015. There is a glimmer of hope if you can't bear to be without paper copies of your internet news feeds. Berg plans to at least open source its code so that fans can keep the services alive if they like, and it's willing to sell the hardware business to any firm that will pledge ongoing support. There isn't any talk of a savior just yet, though, so you may want to cherish those printouts while you still can.
Mac 101: How to create a time-saving printer pool in OS X
Yesterday I had a call from an old consulting client of mine, who was wondering if there was a way that she could set up a way of sending print jobs from a Mac to any printer in her office -- any printer that wasn't already tied up printing something else for another person. Her company does a lot of large documents, so the employees in the company are often tying up printers while doing test prints for clients. There is a way to easily do this without having a print server in the office, and it's called a printer pool. Setting up a printer pool from any Mac takes just a few seconds. Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, and you'll see a list of all of the available printers on your network. Next, select the printers you wish to have in a printer pool by command-clicking them. For example, you might want to have a printer pool for all of the high-resolution color printers on the network and another one for the fast black and white laser printers. Command-click all of the printers of a specific type that you want in a pool to select them, and then you'll see a button that not only lets you create a printer pool, but name it so that it's easily recognizable. Once you've created the printer pool, you can select it as a "printer" from any print dialog. What will happen is that your Mac will send the print job, determine which printer(s) are currently idle, and then do the printing on an available printer. It's an easy way to keep all your printers busy and your employees from waiting on an open printer.
Solidoodle's latest 3D printer is friendly to newcomers
As much as 3D printers have evolved in their short history, they still tend to look like they were made for hobbyists, by hobbyists. You'll see boxy frames, sometimes with exposed parts -- and you may have only limited help if something goes awry. Solidoodle isn't happy with these intimidating designs, so it's launching a fifth-generation peripheral (the Press) that's kinder to first-time users. The 512-cubic-inch printer comes in a friendlier, enclosed design that looks more like a mini fridge than the raw machinery of Solidoodle's previous models. The spool is protected to prevent plastic filament jams, and the printing bed automatically calibrates itself -- you won't have to adjust it every time it's uneven.
MakerBot's iPad app lets you sculpt 3D-printed objects from your couch
As a rule, serious 3D printers need equally serious design skills if you're building objects from scratch. That's no longer true for MakerBot's Replicators, though; the company has just trotted out PrintShop, an iPad app that takes the hard work out of making simple objects. You can build your own bracelets, rings and signs without knowing a lick about modelling software. If you'd like to craft something a little more sophisticated, you can browse a collection of ready-made items from the Thingiverse. We'd still suggest a rookie-friendly device like Printeer if you're primarily interested in basic designs, but this could be an easy way to let your kids in on the action -- or just to make something without leaving your sofa.
3D printer headed to the International Space Station this August
Astronauts on the International Space Station will need to make room for one more gadget: a NASA-certified 3D printer. The device, designed by Made in Space at NASA's Ames Research Park in Mountain View, will launch on SpaceX CRS-4 in August, a few months ahead of schedule. Initially, astronauts will test the printer in the ISS' microgravity environment, but eventually it could be used to build tools and other hardware needed for on-board repairs or cubesat deployments. Down the road, Made in Space's clients could also have access to the printer for their own experiments. "This is unprecedented access to space," CEO Aaron Kemmer said in a press release. "If you want to 3D print in space, contact us now." [Image credit: NASA]
Flying drone can '3D print' with foam, help carry away hazardous objects
Flying drones with 3D printers attached to their body: it was only a matter of time until the two technologies met. Such a thing now exists, although we're not quite sure it's earned its printing qualification yet. Developed by a team at the Imperial College London, the "3D printing Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV)" is a quad-copter that carries two chemicals that create polyurethane foam when mixed. Scientists say the foam can be molded to create non-complex structures or repair components, making the drone especially useful in hard-to-reach areas. The substance is also extremely sticky, which allows teams of drones to work together to remove dangerous objects from hazardous locations. Like the video below shows, the quad-copter can swoop in and "print" a layer of sticky foam, which will then stick to the underside of a bigger and more powerful drone so it can be transported away. Scientists drew inspiration from nature when developing the MAV, mostly notably the the swiftlet. The swiftlet is a small bird that builds nests entirely from threads of their saliva. Right now, the drone can only fly in controlled environments using sensors that feed real-time information back to a laptop. The next step will see the team equip the quad-copter with high-speed cameras, sensors and even solar panels, allowing it to fly autonomously and charge itself in any environment.
This robot printer runs around the page laying down ink
Most pocket-sized printers are really shrunken versions of what you'd see on your desk. Rather boring, don't you think? Zuta Labs' upcoming Pocket Printer robot may liven things up a little. Instead of using an old-fashioned paper feed, it runs over the page laying grayscale ink. This Roomba-like approach isn't just a party trick, though. Besides leading to a very portable design, it lets you print on any size page you like -- if you need to get a legal form while you're at the coffee shop, you can.
MakerBot's mammoth Replicator Z18 3D printer goes up for pre-order
If you want some truly heavy-duty 3D printing, you'll be glad to hear that MakerBot's Replicator Z18 is now available for pre-order. Pay $6,499 and you'll get to craft objects up to a lofty 18 inches tall once the printer ships this spring. Should that be a tad overpowered, you'll be just as pleased to know that MakerBot has started shipping the latest generation of its normal-sized Replicator for a more reasonable $2,899. Both devices offer built-in cameras, Smart Extruders and full networking, so you're really paying for capacity -- you only need to pay the Z18's premium if you really need the headroom.
Samsung announces security-minded Cloud Print apps for Android and iOS
Does anyone actually cable up to a printer anymore? Not if they're kitted out with Google Cloud Print, Apple AirPrint, or Sammy's new alternative: Samsung Cloud Print. The service will launch with an Android app in June, followed by an iOS version in the second half of the year and possibly a Smart TV app at some point too, and all the apps will come with a number of promises about security. Users will have their data encrypted between their device and their inkjet, and those who also use Samsung's freshly updated Knox service are promised "enhanced security" through a level integration between Knox and Cloud Print. Finally, the Android app will also support NFC pairing, allowing a compatible mobile device to be connected to "as many as 20 printers with just a few simple taps" -- although that currently only applies to Samsung's small range of NFC-enabled Xpress-branded printers.
Make your own clothes with this open source printer
Store-bought clothing can be expensive, but not everyone has the talent or patience to make their own attire. That may not be an issue if OpenKnit takes off, though. The open source platform combines an affordable (under $757), build-it-yourself clothing printer with Knitic design software to let you make your own apparel quickly and easily; once you're set up, you just need a template file and some yarn. Aspiring designers can share their creations with the world through Do Knit Yourself. OpenKnit's output is more appropriate for the street than the fashion show catwalk, but it could be ideal for anyone who wants to shake up their style at a moment's notice.
Epson won't make a consumer 3D printer, but promises big, industrial ones within five years
Epson's presence at CES 2014 this year focused on its surprising push into wearables. But the company name remains almost a synonym for printers -- the two-dimensional ones at least. There are plenty that reckon the likes of Epson, HP, etc. will soon weigh in with their multinational clout on the 3D printer market, slashing the average price with everyman models, but Epson won't be doing that. President Minoru Usui told us that probably wasn't going to be the case, at least for them. "We are developing our own printers, but our aim is to change everything. When it comes to 3D printing... we want our machines to make anything." Breaking it down into three issues he saw with 3D printing as it stands, he said that printing materials were not at a high enough standard, that the precision was simply not there for what the company would like to be creating and productivity was simply not efficient enough. We've had some experiences that mirror these criticisms. But wouldn't a printing giant like Epson entering the 3D printing arena make it more of a realistic proposition? Mr. Usui responded by describing how the company claimed a lion's share of the photo printing arena years earlier, citing better print quality and hardware. "Not many people need to print a plastic figure." "Not many people need to print a plastic figure." That said, Epson is working hard developing its 3D printing tech, but fixing that list of problems is going to take time -- especially when it comes to materials. Usui wants the company to be able to print "anything" and reckons that could take around five years from now. And anything really means anything: The president mused on printing cars, which would make that eventual manufacturing hardware a fair bit bigger than a Cube 3. The results need to be as precise as current (c'mon, more boring) moulding production, where templates are measured in microns: That's where Epson needs 3D printing to reach.
LG's Pocket Photo 2 can handle your selfie prints in 60 seconds (hands-on)
From time to time, you snap a picture while on the go that deserves a bit more than just social media posting. For those more elegant snapshots, LG's Pocket Photo 2 can output 30 photos before needing to recharge and refill the requisite paper. We took one for a spin at CES in order to observe the results. Once the LG G2 being used for the demo was paired via NFC/Bluetooth, we were off to capture an image. From there, you can use LG's app to edit -- which includes adding filters, captions, QR codes, borders and more. When our tweaks were complete, we just laid the G2 on top of the small printer and let the wireless connection transfer the file. In about 60 seconds, the task was completed with thermal ink and our portrait had been preserved in physical form. The Pocket Photo 2 has slimmed down a bit from the previous model, and the difference is noticeable. A button to open up the casing is situated on the bottom edge, allowing access to swap out the paper stack. Around to the right side, there's a power toggle switch alongside the charging port. On the front, LED indicators for power, battery and low-paper levels are located on the right side and silver circles for the opening hinge are up top on both sides. As far as the prints go, the final product is a 3 x 2-inch rectangle that's a little smaller than a business card and the quality is on par with what we'd expect for a device like this. It's OK for really quick prints, but that's about it. When the device arrives, pink, yellow and white color options will be yours for the taking. There's no word on pricing just yet, but the Pocket Photo 2 is set to make its debut in Korea later this month. For now, jump down to the gallery below for a closer look.
Epson Expression Premium XP-610 Printer: Small printer, big features
The Epson Expression Premium XP-610 Small-in-One Printer is a small profile printer (with a long name) that offers an impressive array of features. While it doesn't seem to be as robust as other Epson printers I've tested, it has performed well in most cases over the past month of use. I used this printer as my default for over 30 days with only minor issues. The XP-610 offers auto 2-sided printing, a dedicated photo tray, CD/DVD printing, built-in cards slots, wireless printing, copying and scanning (up to 2400 dpi). With the free Epson iPrint app (shown below) and support for Apple AirPrint, it prints from your iOS device easily too. It's a speedy little printer and produces a mix of color and text well, just not very quietly. Even set to Quiet Mode in the Driver preferences, the printer chugs quite a bit. For such a small printer, it has wide assortment of copy features. I like like two-sided copy capabilities, which came in handy when I needed to copy forms for my health insurance application. It also can reduce and enlarge documents between 25% and 400%, scan to PDF and scan photos to coloring book pages. It fits into a space about the size of a large baking pan. It should fit on any household desk or workspace with its 15.4" x 13.4" x 5.4" (W x D x H) dimensions, but with the output tray extended it is 19.8" deep. It only weighs 21.5 lb, so it is easily moved. The software CD comes with Epson Print and Epson Scan, but those of you with newer Macs sans CD drive can download the software from the Epson site (or check Software Update under the Apple menu), if your Mac doesn't notify you automatically. Unlike most programs, there isn't a setting to have Epson Software Updater application automatically check for updates, so I launched it manually. A Low Ink Reminder program is also included and it lets you know your ink status in the print dialog. The XP-610 includes two paper trays, which I also like. One tray fits up to 100 sheets, no larger than 8.5 x 11" and the other handles the photo paper. The photo tray holds up to 20 sheets if you use the thicker glossy paper. You access all of the controls through the very readable 2.5" LCD touch panel display, which tilts out for easy access. You set up the Wi-Fi access, 2-sided scanning, and copying through the display, while the printed output from the computer uses Epson's Print dialog, as always. I tested the Wi-Fi access through my 2012 iMac and MacBook, plus a Windows 8 machine and an iPhone. Except for an MS Word doc printed through the PC, which regurgitated pages of garbage, the Epson XP-610 produced the needed output flawlessly. Mixed Text and Graphic Printing The XP-610 produces crisp text and graphics when used in Normal or Fine modes. As seen in my review of Greeting Card Shop by Chronos, it printed a greeting card on Kodak stock, which is not as thick as regular card stock, just fine. The area in which I think this printer pales is when you use the Economy setting to save ink. I usually use Economy to print drafts of articles and I found in some cases the print was too light to read adequately. The Fast Economy setting produced completely unreadable pages. I tried the economy settings with brand new black ink cartridges and ones that were partially used with the same results. The cartridges are easy to install and it seemed as if the small black ink cartridges lasted through a lot of printed pages; a few hundred sheets plus many photos of varying sizes. Epson claims you can print about 250 sheets with the regular black cartridge and 500 with a large cartridge. I'm sure I went over 250 sheets. You do get notices of low ink when there's still plenty of ink available. One user suggests disabling the Status Monitor so that the printer keeps going until the ink cartridge is empty. Photo Printing I do not think the XP-610 is up to Epson's usual standard in photo printing. This printer includes five Claria Premium inks: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Photo Black. This ink produces smudge, scratch and water resistant photos, which supposedly last 200 years. Sorry, I wasn't able to test that... I like not having to switch between matte black and photo black cartridges as I must do with my Epson Stylus Photo R2880. I think I'm a bit spoiled by my R2880 though, because I'm not thrilled with the photo output of the XP-610 and it's probably an unfair comparison because one printer cost around US $500, while the other is now available for $99.00. I tried a variety of photo papers and thought it produced the best results with Epson-branded papers. It pixelated the prints when I tried HP and Kodak 4 x 6 photo paper. I also got better results with the small print sizes than with 8.5 x 11 photo paper. I found that I had to use Epson Controls color to produce color-correct prints instead of ColorSync or another program's. When I tried printing from Photoshop, in which I usually have Photoshop control the color output, the prints came out too red every time. When I set it to the Epson Color Controls the prints looked fine, but just not as crisp as my more expensive printer. While the printer claims it will do borderless printing on photo paper, I could not make it print to the edges (borderless) on paper larger than 5 x 7. CD/DVD Prints I realize that most people no longer print their own CD labels, because most Macs don't even have a DVD burner installed anymore. But, the XP-610 comes with a CD tray conveniently stored in the bottom of the printer. I used the Print CD module and the LCD display to quickly print out some DVDs. I used water-resistant printable media received for another review years ago from Iomega. Sadly, this media is no longer sold. You can adorn your media with the sample labels included, choose one of 95 provided backgrounds and 40+ graphics or create your own masterpiece, as I did in the screen shot above. The print quality is excellent and I ended up killing an evening printing out labels on DVDs on which to archive my photographs and family videos. If memory serves me, you're really supposed to burn data to a CD or DVD before you print on it, but I didn't have that luxury of time. Of course, now I have to use one of my older Macs to burn files onto the media. Printer Trays Some printers work when the output tray isn't extended and spew the paper all over the floor, but the XP-610 produces a loud 5-beep complaint and stops when it's output tray isn't pulled out. The input tray is easy to pull out and slide back in, another plus. The second input tray for photo paper is a bit too easy to push in too far, but it still works though. Summary In brief, the Epson Expression Premium XP-610 is a bit loud and may not product larger photos as well as you'd like, but offers many of options in a small printer. All the needed trays store in the printer itself and it makes scanning easy. If you need a wireless home printer, this one should satisfy your needs, especially if you have school-age kids. The Expression Premium XP-810 (MSRP US$229.99) is similar to the XP-610, but comes with a 30-page Auto Document Feeder for two-sided copying, scanning and faxing, plus it has a bigger 3.5-inch touchscreen and offers Ethernet networking. I only tested the XP-610.
This homemade '3D printer' spikes jello shots with infused designs (video)
Barista Bots, one of the most popular attractions at this year's South by Southwest festival in Austin, printed scanned logos, smileys and other shapes atop comped lattes. Thirsty attendees with 20 minutes to spare for the queue walked away with a free coffee and a robot-extruded froth. The novelty will have surely worn off by next year's SXSW, and we think we've stumbled upon the perfect replacement. It was born from a desire to turn otherwise ordinary gelatin shots into an original alcoholic treat -- meet the 3D Jello Printer. SpritesMods managed to accomplish this feat with a lot of creativity and a few recycled parts. They repurposed the stepper motors from discarded CD-ROM drives to move a syringe along the necessary axes, and used an old ejector mechanism to push down the plunger. An AVR microcontroller stores several different designs, which materialize in tiny jello shots using a cocktail of banana liquor, food coloring and a bit of corn starch to turn the liquid into a gel. SpritesMods is kind enough to help you get started with creating your own. Just dig up some choice e-waste and follow the tutorial -- you'll be mass producing the perfect New Year's Eve consumable in no time.
LG's new Pocket Photo 2 printer is incrementally smaller, better
We'll have to take LG's word on the success of its Pocket Photo mobile printer. Primarily because we fear the lady above and her soul-stealing stare, but also 'cause it would explain the investment in a sequel. LG's Pocket Photo 2 is slightly thinner than its predecessor, and is said to have an improved battery life with 30 photos' worth of juice. Printing resolution has been upped to 600 DPI and the platforms graced with companion apps are listed as Android, iOS and Windows 8. Otherwise, it's much the same as the original -- you pair up via NFC/Bluetooth, and can add QR codes and text to images before printing, as well as filters for the Instagram generation. Prior to a wider launch, the Pocket Photo 2 will hit Korea for an unspecified price in mid-January, shortly after LG tries to drum up interest for it at CES.
I want a printer that is 'Designed in California'
The last time Apple made printers -- well over a decade ago -- there was no iPad, no iPhone, and no Retina displays that could make a digital page look as real as a paper one. In many ways printing isn't as crucial to the average user experience as it once was, but more advanced printing tasks like producing high-quality photos at home are likely to remain for the foreseeable future. We may not need printers as often, but they're not going to outright die in our lifetime. Apple will likely never get back into the printer business, but could it? I think the answer is yes. Why Apple should make printers (again) At a consumer level, printing hasn't been sexy for a long time. In fact, you could argue that printing has never been sexy. Today's printing hardware, including the HP and Epson models Apple sells in its own online store, are clunky, obtuse, and ugly. If they don't have too many buttons for their own good, they sport convoluted (oftentimes resistive, ew) touchscreen interfaces that make navigating an iOS device feel like a Sunday drive. The customer reviews of these printers are mixed at best, with only two of the 12 AirPrint-capable printers on Apple's online store scoring better than a 3/5, and none of them beating a 4/5 rating. The HP model that I have can't keep an AirPrint connection to save its life, and the average rating of all the printers on Apple's online store is 2.5/5. Apple doesn't make 2.5/5 products, but they're selling them because they haven't seen fit to do it better (yet). Even when Apple sold its own brand of printers in the 80s and 90s, they weren't really Apple printers as much as rebadged Canon and HP hardware. If Apple were to decide to enter this fray, they would be starting with what is essentially a blank slate. The company could snag a printing engine from one of the many giants of the industry -- who you can bet would be lining up to get their slice -- but Apple would most definitely want to design the rest of the unit in-house. I mean really, look at the new Mac Pro and tell me who wouldn't want to see a Jony Ive-designed StyleWriter? Apple has a couple of things going for it already if it should decide to pull the trigger on printers: First, as mentioned above, the competition isn't exactly stiff. Second, AirPrint itself has matured greatly since its birth a couple years back, and I'd be willing to bet that an Apple smartphone would talk to an Apple printer with much less fuss (and consumer complaints) than is true of the current third-party units. It prints money The main argument against Apple making printers is also one of the biggest reasons why it should try; "There's no money in it." Yes, there's also no money for Apple to make with a smartphone, a tablet, or a micro desktop computer either, right? Apple is nothing if not the master at creating its own markets, and with a fresh take on printing, I don't think it's silly to think the same would be true once again. Conventional wisdom pushes the idea that the real money to be made with printing comes from selling the supplies, not the hardware. Well, that might be true when you can pick up an HP printer for $50, but let's remember the company we're talking about. If it's gorgeous, it works, and it has even a hint of that Apple magic, price is rarely a deal breaker for anyone walking into an Apple Store. I'm not saying you'll be searching for Apple-branded ink, but don't fool yourself into thinking Apple would be on the same playing field with HP, Epson, Canon, or anyone else in the business. Like it or not, "people who buy Apple products" is now a market of its own, and a pretty big one at that. Why Apple won't make a printer You're not likely to see a "Designed in California" label on a printer any time soon, and printers themselves are largely to blame. Apple is often at its best when creating a new product category, not entering an established one -- the iPod being a big exception here. Iterations on tablets and smartphones come fast and furious because Apple is already a leader in those spaces, but in categories where the company is merely a player, change comes slow if it comes at all (*cough*Mac Pro*cough*). I've done my best to avoid using "innovation" in this article, but that's what it really comes down to. I'm sure Apple could (or already has) come up with a feature that would breathe new life into consumer-level printing, but I couldn't tell you what it is. A sexy design, the "it just works" quality, and the Apple logo would sell more than a few, but in the end it's about giving people what they don't already have. I'm confident Apple has the brains to make that happen with a printer, I'm not convinced the company is willing to actually do it.
EX1 prints circuits on paper, cloth, almost anything you can imagine
Printing a circuit isn't exactly a new idea. In fact, researchers have been putting down silver nano particles using a process similar to ink-jet printing for years. Heck, you can even hack your existing desktop unit to do the same thing with about $300 in components. Still, a retail-ready circuit printing machine has so far managed to elude us. That's where the EX¹ hopes to make its mark. With most of the early bird specials already gone, you'll have to pledge at least $1,499 to its Kickstarter campaign to get one, which puts it firmly in prosumer territory. (And that's just for the version that requires some assembly.) But there's no denying the allure. The EX¹ uses two different "ink" cartridges to lay down layers of material that will form lines of silver nano particles. And, thanks to its flatbed design, you can print your customized circuits on anything from standard PCBs, to cloth, wood or even paper. The company has even built a custom software suite that simplifies the printing process. You can simply import an image of a circuit and hit print (they're pretty easy to find with a Google Image Search). Or, if you're feeling more adventurous, you can sketch out the circuit yourself and take control of all the printing variables. The EX¹ has already doubled its funding goal with four weeks left in its campaign. If you're interested and have the cash hit up the source to pledge your support. But be advised, you'll need to be patient -- the estimated shipping date is currently July of 2014. (And we all know how good a track record Kickstarter campaigns have at meeting shipping targets.) Before you go, make sure to check out the video after the break.
