Apple iOS printing abilities doomed

Apple iOS 4.2 is scheduled to hit iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch devices this month, but it may not be as easy to print from your iOS device as it was supposed to be, writes PC World.

Apple in September released AirPrint, a native iOS 4.2 printing feature, and said it would be able to send a print job from an iOS device to a Mac or Windows PC on the same Wi-Fi network. The computer would then process the print job and forward it to the printer. In September, an Apple representative told PC World there would be "no difference between the way AirPrint would work on a printer that supports Apple's new AirPrint printing architecture (like ePrint printers from HP) or one that is connected to a Mac or a PC."

But that may not be the case, as some iOS developers are now saying that Apple has removed any mention of printing through your PC from the company's iOS developer documentation, according to Macstories. Apple's public Web pages, such as this preview page for iOS 4.2 on the iPad, also lack any mention of AirPrint's previously announced ability to print via your Mac or PC.

Novell has made available its next-generation social collaboration platform, Novell Vibe in beta, says Market Watch.

Available as a cloud-based or on-premise solution, Novell says its Vibe makes it easier for people to work together and drive better and faster business results. Novell Vibe is available in beta in either format, giving people open access to the cloud service and an opportunity to try the new features of the on-premise software.

"Businesses want solutions that help their employees get work done, but don't create security problems. Novell Vibe gives CIOs the balance they need between keeping their workers productive and protecting corporate assets and business knowledge," says Michael Fauscette, Group vice-president of Software Business Solutions at IDC.

Siemens PLM Software has availed version 5.3 of Teamcenter Express software with what the company says are key usability and desktop integration enhancements that are designed to improve collaboration and productivity in manufacturing organisations, states OnWindows.

In the latest version of this software, the user interface has been improved to include a new summary tab layout with faster access to key data and processes, and a new quick search capability inside the Teamcenter Express explorer panel.

There is also a new utility to load multiple files from Windows software folders to enable more widespread access to a company's single source of product information.