Apple iPad AirPrint come to some iPod, the iPhone in November

What good is a computer in your hands if you can not print documents of value from it?

Apple CEO Steve Jobs agrees.

According to a press release from Apple, AirPrint, allowing the IPAD, iPhone and iPod Touch to print documents, will be included in the free software update in November iOS 4.2.

"AirPrint automatically searches for local and network printers can print text, graphics and photos wirelessly via Wi-Fi without having to install drivers or software to download," the statement said. "AirPrint is designed to support a wide range of printers, inkjet printers, entry-level office laser printers. In addition, the 4.2 IOS devices can print to shared printers via a Mac or a PC."

However, not all generations of iPhone and iPod Touch compatible with AirPrint - only 4 iPhone, 3G and iPod Touch, third-generation and later.

Apart from the ability of AirPrint to access shared network printers, Hewlett Packard "ePrint" enabled printers allow direct interaction with IOS devices like the iPhone and iPad.

IPAD interest

West Branch junior Aaron Antcliff said he had his eye on the iPad since its launch, but was turned off by the inability of the device to print.

"That was my main reason not to get an iPad," he said. "I could take notes on it, but if I can not print the notes of the iPad, which is useless, because I will not use the IPAD to study. I did not want another entertainment device."

Antcliff said iPads are more practical than laptops for mobile use, since they are smaller, lighter and have long battery life.

"I definitely think that will revolutionize the computer IPAD as long as they get to the level where people can use to print and do your daily work with them," he said.

Once AirPrint and IOS 4.2 software update is available for the iPad, Antcliff said they consider one.

"I'll kind of wait and see what the reaction to that," he said. "As many of these devices is best kind of sitting, waiting and watching for a month. I want to see how it works before you clunk down $ 700 on a new iPad."

PrintQ compatibility

Antcliff said he is concerned AirPrint not be compatible with the CMU system PrintQ and hoped that the function can be used to print on campus.

Jeff McDowell, director of information technology help desk, said he is not familiar with Apple software AirPrint and are not sure of their compatibility with the system PrintQ.

"I can not be with Jive PrintQ however, we find another piece of software running and we'd have to see how the mesh together," he said. "It will be very difficult to determine what you can do that until we have one in our hands and can prove it."

In a follow-up e-mailed response, said the design McDowell AirPrint may be incompatible with some printers on campus.

"In general I can say that enabling printing from personal laptops is on the roadmap to long term for the services offered through the labs on campus, and allowing printing from IOS devices is undoubtedly related to the goal, "he said.

"Nothing stands in the first place that prevent students in residences and apartments AirPrint use their personal printers."