AirPlay
Apple's AirPrint wireless printing function for the iPad, iPod touch and iPhone will be included in the iOS 4.2 software update in November.
AirPrint automatically finds printers on local networks and can print text, photos and graphics to them wirelessly over Wi-Fi without the need to install drivers or download software. The company said HP's print enabled printers will be the first to support printing from iOS devices.
A beta version has been rolled out to members of Apple's iOS developer program for testing.
Philip Schiller, Apple's VP of worldwide product marketing, said: "AirPrint is Apple's powerful new printing architecture that matches the simplicity of iOS-no set up, no configuration, no printer drivers and no software to download."
Although existing HP ePrint printers can support AirPrint, HP's VP of Imaging and Printing Group, Vyomesh Joshi, said the company's new line of ePrint offerings will hit the shops in time for Christmas.
Compatible HP printers to launch this autumn include the HP Photosmart, Officejet, Officejet Pro and LaserJet Pro series ePrint enabled printers.
"Making it easy for our customers to print anytime, anywhere, is a key priority for HP. iPad, iPhone and iPod touch customers are going to love how easy it is to print using our new range of ePrint printers, creating high-quality printed pages in an instant," Joshi said.
AirPrint will work with iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (third generation and later).
