Xerox PrintBack app allows users to access their printer from Android or Apple IOS
The mobile phone world is constantly seeking to make life easier for both professionals and private individuals. The creation of applications, more commonly reffered to as apps, on smart phone marketplaces such as the Apple Operating System (IOS) for the iPhone and the Android Marketplace for Android supported phones have opened doors to entertainment and productivity over the past several years. Recently Xerox printing company decided to try and cash in on the popularity of these smart phones by joining the app market. Their input on how a smart phone can help you is called Printback, and it allows you to access your printer from anywhere your phone has srevice.
What it Costs
Printback itself is a free application that can be downloaded directly to your phone. The cost in this project comes from needing to buy the Xerox printer that accompanies the application. That printer, called the WorkCentre 6015, is a multifunction printer and the first in the Xerox line to offer Wifi capabilities. At release the printer was retailing for a loft $450 dollars. Given time the price of the unit should drop, most likely after Christmas. If you can’t wait to get your hands on the item and start using the features now, you can shop through the Xerox website or other retailers who are contracted to sell Xerox printers and other Xerox devices.
How it Works
The app works by talking to your specific printer via Wifi technology. This means that one you have installed he free application on your phone it will be able to recognize your specific Xerox printer via the internet from anywhere Wifi access is available. When you find something you want to print such as an Email, a photo or a screen grab from a website, you can send that as an image to your Email address. From there the printer can recognize the document and send it to the printer without your having to be at the physical printer. There are also security settings that allow the user to hold the print jobs until a release order is given. This means sensitive information can be put on pause until someone is at the printer tray to receive the confidential information. This means your sensitive information will not print and sit in open view with no one around to safe guard it.
How to Get it
The hardest part of making this business friendly tool work for you is forking over the cash to buy the Xeroz printer. Once you have that installed in your home or office all you have to do is log onto your smart phone’s mobile market place and search for the "Printback" app. It’s a free and easy download. Once the app downloads onto your phone you will be walked through a simple installation process that helps your phone identify your printer and form a connection. You’ll run a few test prints to ensure the results are what you’re looking for and then you’re ready to print your documents from anywhere you and your phone may go.