Google has launched a new service called “Google Cloud Print” that lets you print documents directly from your iPhone, iPad, Android-based cell phones or any other smartphone compatible with GMail’s mobile service to your printer at home or the office.
The technology giant made the announcement via its Gmail blog and here is how it works. One has to download the latest beta version of Google Chrome browser, and then install the same on a computer – any device running on Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 operating system – connected to the printer that you would like to make available through Cloud Print.
After the completion of these two steps, you have to “enable” the printer () for the service. Google says that users can register one or more of their printers with its Cloud services and link them to their GMail accounts.
Once this is done, open Gmail in your phone browser and select “Print” from the dropdown menu at the top right corner, in order to print e-mails directly. One also has the option of printing specific e-mail attachments (including any file format compatible with GMail, such as PDF, DOC and HTML), by clicking the “Print” link that appears next to them.
However, the service comes with some strings attached. The printer must be connected to a computer for the Cloud Print to work. If your printer is offline (the PC/notebook running the Google Cloud Print connector is turned off) at the time when you give the printing order from your smartphone, then the print job will be executed only after the printer comes back online! Plus, in order for the printer to connect to the Google Cloud, users have to make sure that they are logged into their computers.
The fact that the Chrome beta is currently available only in Windows version means that the Cloud Print service is a non-starter for OS X users. But Google assures that it would roll out Linux and Mac versions of the software “soon.”
It’s also worth noting that the Web titan has opened up the specifications for its Cloud Print interface – something which will allow printer manufacturers to device their customized “Cloud Print-aware” devices that can directly get hooked to the Cloud service without needing a computer as an intermediary.
Google Cloud Print will compete with Apple’s AirPrint technology, which facilitates wireless printing by iOS devices.
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