Hewlett-Packard`s recently announced support of Bluetooth wireless technology and product roll-out plans, is just one component of its mobile vision of supplying technology that allows people to connect and share information effortlessly and to benefit from personalised mobile e-services.
In fact, the company is poised to deliver a host of wireless solutions based on industry standards, such as Bluetooth, that will allow people to connect and share information in ways that best suit their mobile needs.
"We believe mobility is enabled not by a single wireless device, but by the collective ability of all devices - wireless and wired - to automatically work together within a given environment to deliver rich content-specific e-services to mobile users," says Ashley Flinders, Brand Manager, Imaging and Printing Solutions, Hewlett-Packard South Africa.
"True mobility is not achieved simply by eliminating the physical connection between devices. Rather, it is achieved by empowering people to access resources from wherever they may be to simplify how they manage, distribute and exchange information."
However, with the global market for Bluetooth-enabled devices projected to grow to $400 million within three years, Bluetooth is expected to become the dominant wireless technology for printing, particularly in business environments where the capability to print anywhere, anytime is highly desirable. "Imagine getting off an airplane and printing text messages from a mobile phone to an airline-club kiosk, or printing a map from a PDA at a petrol station. HP is poised to deliver a host of wireless solutions based on industry standards, such as Bluetooth, that will allow people to connect and share information in ways that best suit their mobile needs," he says.
HP`s Bluetooth roll-out is starting the following printing solutions:
HP Deskjet 995C printer with built-in, integrated Bluetooth technology for mobile and business professionals
Print accessory that enables printing with Bluetooth wireless technology from any Deskjet 900C series, LaserJet 1000, 2000 and 4000 series printer
HP Deskjet 350C printer with Bluetooth wireless technology solution for mobile printing
The company has also announced a third-party Bluetooth CompactFlash card that enables HP Jornada Pocket PCs to wirelessly communicate with Bluetooth devices such as data-enabled mobile phones, printers and PCs.
1. HP Deskjet 995C printer
The Deskjet 995C printer features a built-in, integrated Bluetooth technology solution that enables mobile and business professionals to print without line-of-sight from mobile computers, mobile phones, PDAs and other portable devices. A Bluetooth radio module is integrated inside the printer, so no adapters, PC cards, or additional devices are required.
The Deskjet 995C printer will support three types of printing profiles upon its introduction, which is scheduled for September/October 2001. The printing profiles will enable various devices to communicate with the printer:
A. Hardcopy Cable Replacement Profile -A technology standard that allows mobile computers and other devices with Bluetooth wireless technology to connect with other electronic devices, without the need for additional software.
Built into the computer operating system, the Hardcopy Cable Replacement Profile allows printing and scanning of any type of document. The profile supports Windows 2000 Professional and, upon introduction, Windows XP (which will replace Windows 98 and Me). The profile is not available for Windows 95, 98, Me, or Windows NT.
The most common devices that use the profile are mobile laptop and desktop computers, although other devices are not excluded.
B. Basic Printing Profile - The Basic Printing Profile allows printing from PDAs and mobile phones. The profile, which will be built into PDA and mobile phone operating systems, will enable mobile and business professionals to print a variety of content from wireless devices, where and when they want.
C. Still Imaging Profile - The Still Imaging profile will enable transfer and printing of images from a digital camera or mobile device with Bluetooth wireless technology to another device, such as a printer or notebook computer.
The Deskjet 995C printer will support point-to-multipoint Bluetooth wireless printing. A blue LED on the front panel of the printer notifies the user when a connection with another device with Bluetooth wireless technology is made. Customers will receive basic printer messages, such as out-of-paper, out-of-ink, paper jam, etc, via bi-directional communication.
The Deskjet 995C printer will support all laptop computers, PDAs, and mobile phones with Bluetooth wireless technology, upon introduction.
The printer will ship with a version of BtPrint software developed by Is/Complete, Inc. BtPrint enhances printed output from PDAs by encoding data that is non-PCL, before sending it to the printer for formatting.
2. Print accessory
A Bluetooth print accessory, currently under development with MPI Tech, a division of i-Data International A-S, will enable Bluetooth wireless printing from HP Deskjet 900C series and HP LaserJet 1000, 2000 and 4000 series printers. The print accessory supports laptop computers, PDAs and mobile phones with Bluetooth wireless technology.
Upon introduction in June 2001, the print accessory will feature the following wireless printing methods:
Hardcopy Cable Replacement Profile (once available)
Serial Port Profile (cable replacement)
Object Push Profile
3. HP Deskjet 350C printer Bluetooth wireless technology A Bluetooth wireless printing solution for use with HP Deskjet 350C printers and HP Omnibook portable PCs is now available. The solution will support the cable replacement printing profile. HP Deskjet 350C printers offer convenient mobile printing on a wide variety of media, for busy professionals on the go.
In addition to a Deskjet 350C printer and HP Omnibook portable PC, customers will need a printer module and PCMCIA Card (H-Soft Blue Card). The solution will only work with the Deskjet 350C printer and portable PCs running Windows 98 or 2000 Professional.
1 Proprietary software is currently being developed to enable customers who use Windows 98 and ME to use the Bluetooth wireless printing solution.
2 Since Bluetooth wireless technology enables devices to connect through walls, the LED may not always appear lit when the printer is printing.
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Hewlett-Packard Company - a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services for business and home-- is focused on capitalising on the opportunities of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic services.
HP spins off Agilent Technologies and distributes its shares of Agilent to HP shareowners. Agilent consists of HP`s test and measurement, semiconductor products, chemical analysis and healthcare solutions businesses.
HP has 85,400 employees worldwide and had total revenue from continuing operations of $42.4 billion in its 1999 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.
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