Steve Jobs on AirPrint: 'Lots More Coming Soon'
Many users of Apple's iOS devices were disappointed when Apple significantly scaled back the initial implementation of its AirPrint wireless, driverless printing service in iOS 4.2, limiting compatibility to direct printing to a handful of compatible printer models. With the reasons behind the scaling back remaining unclear and ranging from technical problems to patent issues, users have wondered whether Apple still has plans to allow for AirPrint functionality for other printer configurations such as printers shared through Macs and PCs as the feature had initially supported.
One MacRumors forum member emailed Steve Jobs about the future of AirPrint and reportedly received reassurance from the Apple CEO that the company will be expanding the feature "soon". Jobs also noted the difficulty in deploying driverless printing, hinting at a need for patience as the company continues to push forward.
One MacRumors forum member emailed Steve Jobs about the future of AirPrint and reportedly received reassurance from the Apple CEO that the company will be expanding the feature "soon". Jobs also noted the difficulty in deploying driverless printing, hinting at a need for patience as the company continues to push forward.
Q: You got me all hyped up about AirPrint. Now with iOS 4.2 released, I find out that I can only print on 11 select printers. Seriously?!
A: Lots more coming soon. It's what it takes to make a giant leap to driverless printing, which is huge.
Top Rated Comments
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16 months ago
Nothing to see here. It is how Apple always worked. Start with a small set of features but get them working really well. Then expand.
16 months ago
Agree with that. But AirPrint is working great here, using that little OSX hack. I'm sure it's not up to snuff for mass consumption, but no issue at all in my office with iPad or iPhone.
16 months ago
I just don't see the reason they removed it from 10.6.5, as it works flawlessly with the hack.
16 months ago
This is good to hear... None of my 5 printers work with AirPrint. Some are connected to the computer and shared. Others are on the network.
16 months ago
No worries. You can print to 100% of all printers on the market now, by simply installing this excellent $10 utility on your Mac:
I love Ecamm, the company that makes Printopia... I think I own every one of their software products.
What if your printer isn't connected to a Mac?
Why pay for something that should be free - and that Apple could pull support for in the next release of iOS?
16 months ago
It's not driverless printing. The drivers are simply loaded into the device already. Love the shell game that Steve attempts to play. Perhaps he fools idiots with it, not sure.
16 months ago
Seems my iOS 4.2 Developer IPSW prints to my Epson printers (including an old Stylus Photo 1240) and a new Epson WiFi N. I don't buy the driver issue, there is something else amiss.
Where are these "drivers" stored? If you are referring to the Mac itself that does not directly effect AirPrint. The iOS 4.2.x and 10.6.5 work together for this feature, however Jobs himself and others have mentioned that it would be better if printers came with their own drivers ON the printer itself. Having a small SSD or such installed in the printer would be the way to go.
It's not driverless printing. The drivers are simply loaded into the device already. Love the shell game that Steve attempts to play. Perhaps he fools idiots with it, not sure.
Where are these "drivers" stored? If you are referring to the Mac itself that does not directly effect AirPrint. The iOS 4.2.x and 10.6.5 work together for this feature, however Jobs himself and others have mentioned that it would be better if printers came with their own drivers ON the printer itself. Having a small SSD or such installed in the printer would be the way to go.
16 months ago
Steve's poor little thumbs must be tired from tapping out all these responses on his iPhone. I hope somebody gets him a MacBook Air for Christmas.
16 months ago
You got me all hyped up about AirPrint. Now with iOS 4.2 released, I find out that I can only print on 11 select printers. Seriously?!
That's how this person addresses the CEO of a major corporation? Just because you see him during presentations and he answers his email from time to time doesn't mean that you address him like he's your pal. He's not. Show some respect, people.
Now, as for AirPrint - seeing as how it's worked flawlessly for me since applying the workaround (as well as many other forum members), I'm really curious as to exactly why it was pulled.
That's how this person addresses the CEO of a major corporation? Just because you see him during presentations and he answers his email from time to time doesn't mean that you address him like he's your pal. He's not. Show some respect, people.
Now, as for AirPrint - seeing as how it's worked flawlessly for me since applying the workaround (as well as many other forum members), I'm really curious as to exactly why it was pulled.
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