Atlanta, Georgia (PressExposure) June 23, 2010 -- American multinational technology corporation Hewlett-Packard (HP) announced the arrival of the ePrint printer fleet two weeks ago at Internet World New York. These printers will come enabled with web access, a unique IP and email address, and touch screens. The printers, to be widely available within the next few months, will allow technology users to print from remote locations, and HP projects the sale of more than 15 million ePrint printers by next year.
Causing major hubbub in among consumers, however, is the announcement that users would be able to sign up for regular pre-scheduled news feeds from sources like MSNBC and Yahoo! News. These sources will then be able to deliver ads. Due to the printers having unique IP addresses, the ads will even be content and geographically targeted.
This development sparked major consternation among consumers, citing concerns with both individual invasion-of-privacy and inflated printer ink costs.
HP and Yahoo! will launch the delivery service first as a pilot program to determine the most effective and efficient ways to advertise through this new medium. Despite the public outcry being raised by reviewers and consumer alike, many see value in the possible coupons and customized deals that could be offered to specific customers based on individual consumer preference. Users may take a picture with a smartphone and e-mail the photo as an attachment to the printer. Users may also send photos, documents, or other information to the ePrint e-mail addresses of friends, family, and co-workers.
Approximately 7,000 printing kiosks are expected to be established in retail stores by the end of 2010, enabling users to print photos, books and brochures on location and also opening up the doors for retail merchants to offer coupons or incentives based on the stores in the printer's vicinity.
HP hopes to construct a website through which users can print everything from coloring books to birthday cards, as HP is currently partnered with 40 companies including Nickelodeon in anticipation of the website launch.
Users of ePrint also have the option to subscribe to pre-scheduled print deliveries of news feeds through services such as Yahoo! and MSNBC. This subscription service will allow advertisements that companies will be able to tailor to specific IP addresses, which contain information such as location.
Prices for the upcoming ePrint printers will range from $99 to $400. Stay updated on the latest news about printers and printing including ink refills for printers.