Apple Delays or Cancels Support for AirPrint Via Shared Printers on Macs and PCs?
MacStories reports that Apple appears to have canceled support for printing from iOS devices to shared printers attached to Macs and Windows PCs. The last-minute change would appear to put a crimp in the utility of the company's AirPrint service scheduled to be launched on iOS 4.2 in the very near future.
We have been told from a few Mac developers that a few days ago Apple removed all the references to printing via OS X 10.6.5 and PCs both from Readme files and other online documentation posted in the iOS developer center. It seems like all that's now mentioned in the release notes are the aforementioned HP networked printers, as if the shared printing option never existed.
According to one developer who contacted Apple technical support regarding the removal, Apple has indeed canceled AirPrint support through shared printers, and it is unclear if the company even has plans to offer it in the future.So, here is the reply from Apple Tech Support when contacted:
"Support for AirPrint on Windows and Mac has been cancelled. We will be in contact with you if another opportunity arises in the future."
Mac OS X 10.6.5 and iTunes 10.1, which had been set to bring the AirPrint support to Macs and Windows PCs, have been rumored to see a release tomorrow, with iOS 4.2 claimed to be set to follow on Friday.
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http://www.macstories.net/news/rumor-apple-has-cancelled-support-for-airprint-on-mac-and-pc/
Can any devs confirm/deny this? If indeed it is true, the usefulness of AirPrint just went down dramatically.
I will stick with my 4.2 GM for a long time before they fix this crap.
They should just drop the entire current printing and replace it with real printing like drivers for all printers, through routers, airprint and via Dock to USB cable. It's ridiculous that a $800 computer that is over 50 times as fast as my first Mac can't print.
To carry all the printer drivers required takes up about a gigabyte, which on a 16gb device is a not insignificant amount. Airprint worked (I assume!) by handing over all the driver-based work to the shared Mac or PC, which in turn printed the document. It's really the best solution to a difficult problem, and I don't see any other way around it.
They should just drop the entire current printing and replace it with real printing like drivers for all printers, through routers, airprint and via Dock to USB cable. It's ridiculous that a $800 computer that is over 50 times as fast as my first Mac can't print.
No thanks! AirPrint as well as using Mac or pc printer sharing is a MUCH more elegant solution since it is completely driverless.
To carry all the printer drivers required takes up about a gigabyte, which on a 16gb device is a not insignificant amount. Airprint worked (I assume!) by handing over all the driver-based work to the shared Mac or PC, which in turn printed the document. It's really the best solution to a difficult problem, and I don't see any other way around it.
well, its not a solution since I and many others can't print at all unless we buy a new printer. I'd rather have a setup program through itunes that allows me to select the relevant drivers for me if I don't want to carry all drivers. Currently you either need to buy a new printer or boot you computer up. But then I'd rather print from the computer right away. Not a good solution.
No thanks! AirPrint as well as using Mac or pc printer sharing is a MUCH more elegant solution since it is completely driverless.
No it's not driverless since the drivers need to be on your computer and your computer needs to be around and running to be able to print. Needing to go to Best Buy and buy a new printer is not really an elegant solution.......
On the Apple Developer forums, one developer claims that Apple Tech Support told him that "support for AirPrint on Windows and Mac has been cancelled." The limitation of AirPrint to a select few HP printers would severely limit the usefulness of the feature, forcing most users to purchase a new printer to take advantage of it. Users, especially business users, have been greatly looking forward to the wireless printing feature, which was promised to be easy to use and to work with any printer connected to a Mac or PC, and will undoubtedly be disappointed to discover that AirPrint has been hobbled by a lack of Mac or PC support.
Adding to the confusion of whether support for the feature has been removed, developers have reported being able to print to Macs using earlier versions of Mac OS X 10.6.5 and the iOS 4.2 GM, as well as Windows PCs via the iTunes 10.1 Beta 2 for Windows, although it is unclear whether AirPrint support for Macs is still functioning in the latest Mac OS X 10.6.5 beta released Monday,.
Rumors suggest that Mac OS X 10.6.5 and iTunes 10.1 will arrive Wednesday, with iOS 4.2 coming on Friday at 10 a.m.
Though AirPrint support for Mac and PC printing may have been delayed, it's clear that Apple is committed to developing wireless printing on the iOS. In September, a batch of patent applications for Apple's AirPlay and AirPrint communications protocols hinted that the company has big plans for the wireless printing feature.
I don't buy this.. but who knows.. Im actually looking forward to this feature :(
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