Printing From Your iPad and iPhone

One of the major flaws with the iPad and iPhone is the inability to print from them.

This can be solved in one of two ways:

• The Print Central Application from iTunes Application Library http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/printcentral-for-ipad/id366020849?mt=8
• Printing from a HP or Canon Wireless Printer that has the AirPrint capability built in.

Note: Both of these solutions require a wireless printer that is located on the same wireless network that your iPad or iPhone are connected to.

The Print Central Application can be complex to install. If the application does not work after downloading and installing to your iPad or iPhone, you may have to install software to make your home computer a print server. This software is free of charge as a download from the application provider. The instructions to do this are pretty straight forward. A support phone number is supplied if you have problems. In the six times I have installed this application, I always needed to install the print server software. If you have to use the print server solution, the computer that has the print server software installed on it must be up and running on the wireless network for the print function to work on your iPad or iPhone.

The other problem with the Print Central Application is that it is not integrated into your iPhone or iPad seamlessly. You must set up a parallel email and web browser so that the print function works. In other words you cannot tap print while reading your email using the native iPad or iPhone application. Even with this drawback, this is better than nothing if you want to print from your iPad or iPhone.

Newer Canon and HP Wireless Printers are equipped with AirPrint. No software needs to be installed on your iPad or iPhone. Here are the details from Apple: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4356

If you are not looking to spend approximately $200 for a new wireless printer that has AirPrint, $8.99 looks like a bargain if you have a serviceable wireless printer.

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Cleaning your laptop, Smartphone and Big Screen TV Screen

When cleaning any LCD screen such as a laptop, Smartphone or big screen TV, be careful. Any liquid that gets between the LCD and the trim can damage the display assembly. Always spray the cleaning fluid onto a soft cloth and use the cloth to clean the screen.

You can buy commercial cleaners, but you can make your own for a fraction. A 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water is used to clean your screen. Look for a 90% or higher pure isopropyl alcohol at your local drug store.

Don't clean your screen too often. To minimize the time between cleaners, use compressed air or a soft cloth to remove dust. Your screen should not have to be cleaned more than once every 3 to 6 months.

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What is a QR Tag?

Look a the picture on the right side of this article. Does it look vaguely familiar? That picture is an example of a QR Tag that you are seeing more and more often in magazine ads and on real estate agent for sale signs.

Think of it as a bar code for marketers. Using a QR Tag Reader application for your Smartphone, the tag is scanned by taking a picture of it using your camera via the reader application. The application then connects to the Internet to decipher the tag.

The tag at right, when deciphered, contains the name of my company and contact information.What you put into a tag for your business could be a coupon, a link to a webpage with interior pictures of the house you are trying to sell or whatever your imagination comes up with.

For your Blackberry, I recommend QR Code Scanner Pro:  http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/13962
 To create your own QR Tag, try  Kaywa QR Code Generator:   http://qrcode.kaywa.com/

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September 2011 eNewsletter

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