The person standing at the counter is a bit frantic. He is trying to explain to the clerk that his USB stick will not work in the copier and he has to print this document right now. Standing there, the clerk seems to be at a loss for how to help the customer. The tension builds.
I am standing behind this customer waiting to ask my own question for a bulk print job. The person in front of me is holding a smartphone, so I interrupt and ask if he can simply email the file to the retailer’s copy center address. Yes, of course, says the clerk.
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Smartphones can do an amazing array of tasks. We all know that, but when our traditional method of doing something gets flipped upside down it can stump us. Even some of the younger generation look at me oddly when I ask if they ever print from their phones: “What’s the print?”
Here are the best apps and methods to get started with wireless printing from your phone
In testing different apps, I have found that the major printer manufacturers have done a good job of making both iOS and Android-capable apps that can get the task done easily. HP, Epson, Brother, Canon, Xerox, and many others have custom apps to connect with their machines.
Wireless Printer Apps on Google Play store includes all the major manufacturers with their own in-house printer apps (which also let you order ink, of course). I have used both the HP Print Service Plugin (top-rated one) and the Brother iPrint&Scan and even though it can sometimes take a bit of fiddling with both the wireless network and the app’s permissions on the network, they work great. I have installed and tried the Google Cloud Print app a few times and not found it as easy, but it could be my older printers.
HP Smart on the Apple App Store is the top-rated productivity app for wireless printing (varies between #16 and #21 over the last few looks) but has over a million reviews for a total of 4.8 ratings. No other printer apps in the top 25. Since HP dominates the desktop inkjet and laser printer world, there’s a good chance you own one. If not,
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All that said, Apple does have its own AirPrint that promises no new apps to download or drivers to configure. I didn’t have my Apple device to test with, so I’ll take their word. You can read about AirPrint here and scroll through the crazy l-o-n-g list of compatible printers here or just trust that they have your back unless you bought your printer before iOS even existed, in that case, time to upgrade.
Just in case you do not have a printer, no problem - the big box retailer copy centers have you covered. I have not seen regular printers at Walmart, but their photo centers allow you to print from your phone (see below).
Staples offers an instruction page that includes Google Cloud Print and AirPrint.
Office Depot / Office Max has instructions for using their centers that include, like FedEx, how to email your documents/files to them.
FedEx Print and Go (Copies, too) options including how to email, which I have always found very useful and fast. It is done before you get there. They also have their Print It app for iOS and Android.
Walmart uses the Mailpix app (good reviews on both iOS and Android) which lets you print at Walmart, but also at CVS pharmacy, Target, Walgreens and DUANE Reade drugstores. If you have an online Walmart account, you can upload your photos to the store directly from your computer or smartphone with their app.
source: Forbes
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