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Hands on: FingerPrint enables AirPrint for many non-compliant OS X printers
FingerPrint is a new Mac OS X application from Collobos Software that enables AirPrint printing for many OS X printers. AirPrint is Apple's new wireless printing technology for iOS devices. It works over Bonjour, Apple's version of zero configuration networking, allowing devices and services to communicate with each other on local area networks. As originally planned, AirPrint was supposed to provide printing to shared OS X printers and to a small group of HP printers that support HP's ePrint mobile printing service. However, this feature was disabled in the final Mac OS X 10.6.5 release, and AirPrint now only supports the HP printers. FingerPrint brings the capability back to shared printers without having to resort to Terminal commands. The $7.99 application works by browsing for Bonjour printer services. When it finds them, it re-advertises the printers adding a special field to the Bonjour data that indicates AirPrint compliance. By projecting that compliance information, your iOS devices are able to detect and then write to those printers using standard OS X protocols. Update: See our exclusive first look at Ecamm's competitive offering, Printopia for Mac
How-To: Create PDFs from your iOS device
AirPrint may not be officially implemented in Mac OS X yet, but the feature remains present in the latest iOS 4.2 GM available to developers. For those who do have iOS 4.2 GM installed on their iDevices and are hoping to enable AirPrint, we've got a handy guide for you. Or you can also can use the AirPrint Hacktivator to get the job done. That all covers printing to paper from iOS, but I've decided to take it a step further for those who want to "print" but remain paperless: Print to a PDF. And not only print to a PDF, but then immediately have that PDF accessible to the same device. Here are some rather simple steps to get your PDF on.
AirPrint: how to make it work for shared printers
Update: The clever fellows over at Netputing bundled the files together with a snazzy install/uninstall button to produce AirPrint Hactivator, which takes care of all the under the hood business for you. The same caveats apply: remember that you are installing obsolete/beta system files, use at your own risk, and if you'd prefer a supported product there are options. Mac OS X 10.6.5 was released yesterday, and one of the features it was expected to bring to the table was support for AirPrint, a new feature in iOS 4.2 that was supposed to enable wireless printing from an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. Unfortunately, whether it's because of technical problems or patent trolling, Apple pulled support for this feature at the last minute. In its current incarnation, AirPrint in iOS 4.2 will now only work with specific printers that come with AirPrint functionality built-in... and you probably don't own one of those. iOS 4.2 hasn't been officially released yet, but some enterprising developers, Steven Troughton-Smith and Patrick McCarron, have already found a way to re-enable AirPrint functionality in Mac OS X 10.6.5. Apparently, three files from earlier developer builds of 10.6.5 were removed or altered for the final public release, and it's these files that are essential to restoring full AirPrint functionality. Click "Read More" for a walkthrough on how to enable AirPrint. The usual caveat: This procedure involves a moderate degree of peril, and TUAW cannot help you if you mess up your system. Proceed at your own risk.
Steve Jobs says AirPrint has not been 'pulled,' but here's how to re-enable it just in case
We're still just as much in the dark as you are as to the current state and future of AirPrint, but we do now have a solution. Yesterday it was looking like wireless printing from iOS devices was out the window, but according to MacRumors.com Steve Jobs has responded to one disgruntled user's ask for clarification, saying in typically terse prose: AirPrint has not been pulled. Don't believe everything you read. Indeed you should not believe everything you read, and given there's no way to authenticate this supposed response you might want to take that with a bit of a grain of salt too. But, until we get official confirmation one way or another, Mac developer Steven Troughton-Smith has managed to find a way to re-enable the service in the released version of Mac OS X v10.6.5. It won't be easy, you'll need to pull some files from a pre-release version of that version (confused yet?), but if you need to print something wirelessly today give it a shot. Or, you could just wait until tomorrow when iOS 4.2 rolls out and we see for sure what's going on with AirPrint. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Mac OS X 10.6.5 update available now
And look at what we have here! That's right, the rumored Mac OS X 10.6.5 update is dropping as we speak. What this will mean for the impending iOS release (and the whole AirPrint thing) remains to be seen, but in the meantime you can get started now if you want to ooh and ahh at the various implemented fixes, including improved Microsoft Exchange server reliability, improved MainStage performance ("on certain Macs"), and various security improvements. For more info, hit that source. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Steve Jobs: AirPrint support for Mac and PCs not canceled
We reported earlier on a rumor suggesting that new iOS 4.2 AirPrint feature that allowed users to print wirelessly to any printer connected to a PC or Mac had been canceled. Because of the rumor, a frustrated MacRumors reader emailed Steve Jobs and suggested that Apple could begin to lose credibility and become known for announcing "vaporware." Steve Jobs replied with an email that simply read: AirPrint has not been pulled. Don't believe everything you read. So there you go, folks. If the email's legit (and Steve isn't mixing up the story at all), we will still see AirPrint arrive in iOS 4.2, which is set to drop any day now. Don't forget to join us at 5PM ET this afternoon for our live iOS 4.2 preview show, where we'll discuss all the new features of Apple's next mobile OS. [via MacRumors]
iOS 4.2 coming Friday with iTunes and Mac OS X updates, sans AirPrint? (update)
We knew it was coming, and now we're hearing from MacStories (and their source at AT&T, who was probably wearing a trench coat and fedora) that iOS 4.2 for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad will roll out beginning this Friday, November 12, at 10AM PST. Of course, in order to take advantage AirPlay we'll have to see an update to iTunes as well, which is good because iTunes 10.1 is rumored to be coming tomorrow today at some point. But that ain't all! It seems that the website of note for Mac stories has been hearing from devs that references to AirPrint have been disappearing from online documentation in the iOS developer center, leading to speculation that Mac OS X 10.6.5 (also rumored to hit tomorrow today) will not have the ability to print wirelessly after all. We can't speak to the veracity of all these claims, but we're pretty sure we can look forward to a new OS for our Apple handhelds before the week is over. Update: Of course, as Benedict Murray pointed out in the comments, if there really were a conspiracy afoot to disappear AirPrint, Apple certainly would have dropped it from the product page. So we'll see.
Rumor: AirPrint support for Mac and PCs canceled
Some things, as the saying goes, are not meant to last. Apparently, that is the case with the new AirPrint feature in the upcoming iOS 4.2 for the iPad that was set to allow users to print wirelessly to any printer connected to their Mac or PC. I say "was" because it is becoming increasingly apparent that Apple has pulled some of the AirPrint functionality off the table, at least for now. Developers are reporting that references to printing via a Mac or PC have been removed from online documentation, and the downloads that Apple had provided for beta versions of OS X 10.6.5 and iTunes 10.1 -- specifically so that developers could test AirPrint from their apps -- are no longer available. Support for printing directly to a limited set of new HP network-connected printers that support AirPrint natively are unaffected, but this is of little comfort, as most end users do not have these printers yet, and the ability to print via a desktop would have allowed printing to any brand or model of printer that was connected. Many developers have raised questions concerning the change on Apple's developer forums, and while an official response or announcement has not been publicly made by Apple as of yet, one developer reports that they contacted support via e-mail and received the following reply: "Support for AirPrint on Windows and Mac has been canceled. We will be in contact with you if another opportunity arises in the future." While this would not be the first time that Apple has pulled or changed a significant feature prior to release, it is frustrating for developers who have spent time, money, and other resources developing an app that relies on that feature to have it suddenly removed. Further, the lack of notice or official communication from Apple on the matter adds to the uncertainty, as developers are left not knowing whether the functionality will ever be released, leaving some very promising apps in limbo until an announcement is made.
OS X 10.6.5 release expected this week
Sources internal to Apple have informed 9to5Mac that OS X 10.6.5 has been finalized and circulated within the company. 9to5Mac also notes that such pre-release updates "usually come in one to a few days prior to public launch." 10.6.5 is required for most AirPrint functionality in iOS 4.2. Since iOS 4.2 just reached GM status, it's likely a public release for OS X 10.6.5 will roughly coincide with the public release of iOS 4.2. Both OS releases are expected within the next week or so. We'll let you know as soon as they go live.
iOS 4.2 Gold Master release seeded to developers
The day all iPad users have been waiting for is just about upon us; iOS 4.2 has finally gone Gold Master. Apple is giving developers the go-ahead to download what will likely be the final release version of its latest mobile operating system and SDK. While all but the first generation iPhones and iPod touches will be eligible for the update, the big news is that the iPad will finally move up to the fourth generation of iOS, gaining multitasking and app folders. All the iOS 4.2 devices will be adding two marquee features: Air Print for remote printing via a networked Mac or compatible HP hardware, and Air Play to hand off video playback to the iOS-based Apple TV. The new OS should be available for general download sometime in the next couple of weeks. Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
HP reveals AirPrint-friendly printers
When iOS 4.2 makes it to the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch in November, we'll finally be able to print from those devices with a native Apple capability called AirPrint. In most cases, you'll need to have a printer that has been shared on a Mac or PC, since AirPrint won't have drivers available for the huge variety of printers that exist. If you're looking for a direct-to-printer solution, though, HP announced that three of its new printers will be ready for the proprietary ePrint technology, which allows driverless printing from iOS devices anywhere as long as they're Internet-connected. These printers also work with AirPrint. One of the printers was previously discussed on TUAW: the $299 (and up, depending on features) Officejet Pro 8500A. The cleverly-designed HP Envy 100 e-All-in-One (pictured above, link is to product PDF) is the least expensive of the new printers at $249, while the Photosmart eStation tops the base prices of the HP AirPrint-friendly printers at $399. The latter printer isn't that likely to be attractive to iPad owners, since it comes with a detachable 7" Android-based tablet "internet companion" that would be a bit redundant. Having the ability to print recipes, boarding passes, and iWork documents directly from the iPad to a printer with no intervening computer is going to be awesome. [via cnet]
What's new (and gorgeous) in iOS 4.2 beta
If you're as excited as I am about the iOS 4.2 beta being released, you probably spent the majority of Wednesday paging through all of the tech blogs and/or neglecting your responsibilities as an adult. For those of you who aren't able to experience Apple's latest firmware until November, I've rounded up all the tastiest morsels and topped them with a delicious set of screenshots. iOS 4.2 beta has some great new features for all three of the main touch devices, meaning that you can expect the following on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad come November: AirPlay: Demoed by Steve Jobs at the keynote on September 1st, AirPlay gives the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch the ability to stream music to the Airport Express and movies, photos, and music to the new Apple TV with the touch of a button. AirPrint: As wireless printing has been one of the most commonly requested features of the iPad since its launch, it's no surprise that Apple has once again put pressure on the netbook market by granting consumers' wishes for full over-the-air printing from Safari, Photos, Mail, and more (provided you have a printer that is part of the admittedly limited compatibility list). Your print queue can be managed from a new "Print Center" icon that appears in the multitasking bar. The biggest surprise? You'll be able to print from your iPhone and iPod touch, too. Changing fonts in the Notes app: In what designers and artists may hail as the greatest single advancement ever made on the platform, Apple has given users the option to change the font that the included Notes app displays. Your choices now include Apple's original "Marker Felt," the equally ugly "Chalkboard," and the wonderful, majestic king of typefaces known as "Helvetica." 'Find In Page' Search in Safari: A small but incredibly useful feature makes its debut on all devices in iOS 4.2 beta. 'Find In Page' appears below the Google Suggest search results when the user activates the search box, and it works quite similarly to Safari for Mac. Follow the gallery link below to get a closeup look at iOS 4.2, or click "Read More" to see the rest of iOS 4.2's new features that are specific to the iPad. %Gallery-102504%
Macworld dishes on AirPrint iOS printing
Today's release of the iOS 4.2 beta has given developers their first hands-on look at AirPrint, which will allow wireless printing from iOS devices. Macworld has published some details. Dan Moren reports that users will be able to print text, photos, and graphics to networked printers without having to fiddle with drivers, special software, or network configurations. Also, it seems like the list of compatible printers is long, though details are still sketchy. Moren says that AirPrint will support printers shared via a Mac or a PC, and it will also handle various types of printing devices, from low-cost inkjets up to office laser printers. Additionally, HP will soon release a new line of printers with their "ePrint" feature that will offer, among other things, support for AirPrint. Users have been waiting for an official print solution from Apple, and in the meantime, several third-party apps have appeared on the App Store. I'm eager to try it out myself, and I'm looking forward to the official release of iOS 4.2 in November.
iOS 4.2 beta hits Apple's developer portal, wireless printing dubbed 'AirPrint'
(function() { var s = document.createElement('SCRIPT'), s1 = document.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0]; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = 'http://widgets.digg.com/buttons.js'; s1.parentNode.insertBefore(s, s1); })(); Digg If you're an iOS developer (or good friends with one), today is going to be totally awesome. Apple has just let loose the official iOS 4.2 beta builds for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch -- meaning that someone somewhere is going to be experiencing multitasking on the 'pad (sans jailbreaking, of course). Additionally, Apple has decided to bestow a name upon its new printing experience (the direct-to-printer tech the company showed off at its fall event). And that name? AirPrint. In a piece of PR just issued by Apple (available to read after the break), it's noted that owners of HP products with ePrint tech will be the first to take advantage of the new tool -- so that's something. Of course, all that news should be lost in a cloud of excitement over 4.2. As usual, we're going to take the OS for a spin on our developer iPad here and see what's what, and then report back to you cats and kittens about whatever nuggets of joy we find. Stay tuned!
