Apple releases first beta of iOS 4.2 with support for AirPrint

The company also announced existing and upcoming ePrint enabled printers from HP will support direct printing from iOS devices. AirPrint will be integrated in iOS 4.2, set for release this November for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

"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," said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users can simply tap to print their documents or photos wirelessly to an HP ePrint printer or to a printer shared on a Mac or PC."

AirPrint will automatically find printers on local networks, and can allow users of iOS devices to print text, photos and graphics directly to them over Wi-Fi, without the need to install drivers or download software. Apple said it is designed to support a "wide range of printers from entry level inkjet printers to office laser printers."

In addition, devices running iOS 4.2 can send content to printers shared through a Mac or PC.

HP will have a number of compatible printers available this fall, including the HP Photosmart, Officejet, Officejet Pro and LaserJet Pro series of ePrint entabled printers. AirPrint will work on the iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPod touch, second generation and later.

"We’re pleased to work with Apple to bring Apple’s AirPrint to our fall lineup of ePrint printers in time for the holiday shopping season," said Vyomesh Joshi, HP executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group. "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."