Print Directly to Printers

Printing directly to printers requires additional hardware installed on the machine. The printer needs to have a Bluetooth device or a Wi-Fi connection installed for this method to work. A free iPhone application is available from HP, which makes the connection from the device to the printer. The application allows users to print directly to a printer with a wireless connection installed. The application is called iPrint, and it’s available through the iPhone application store. Additionally, iPrint can be used to print to a printer using a connection through an Apple computer. If the Apple computer has a printer installed, it can transfer the message from the iPhone to the printer, giving direct access to the device.

Print to Shared Printers

Printing to shared printers is only available to those people who have printers attached to Apple computers. The Apple computer hosts the device drivers, which are used by the iPhone to spool the print jobs. However, both the printer and the Apple machine must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Two main applications are available for iPhone users that allow them to print using this method. iPrintApp is an application that can be downloaded for $1.99. This application is used to print photos. Air Sharing Pro is a more versatile solution for printing from the iPhone. Air Sharing Pro allows you to print text, photos, and PDF documents from the device. However, its increase in options comes at a higher price. Air Sharing Pro costs $9.99 to download from the iPhone application store.

Secondary Applications

Secondary applications are available for both PC and Apple computers. However, these secondary applications require a direct connection from the computer to the printer. They aren’t convenient like the previous two options, but you can print from a wider range of sources. EuroSmartz is an example of a secondary application. You need to install the software on the iPhone and the destination computer, but you have the option of printing web pages, which isn’t included with some of the other applications. This software is beneficial for people who want to print from the iPhone at home or in a small office.

Printing from the iPhone is a handy way to transfer documents and web pages from your cell phone to paper. Even if you don’t have the option of a direct print application, you can still use an affordable software solution as a way to print your favorite photo, document, or web page from the iPhone.

Zpower alluded to the fact that Apple was interested in cutting a deal with the battery maker earlier this year. Switching from the lithium-ion battery to a silver-zinc alternative would not only be a major victory for consumers looking for a comparably-priced, longer-lasting battery in their gadgets, but it would also be a victory for the environmental movement. The newer silver-zinc batteries are 85% recyclable, compared with lithium-ion batteries, which are very costly both environmentally and financially to recycle. In fact, most of the used lithium-ion batteries are not recycled, but instead shipped to China and sold as scrap. Zpower’s new batteries would be much more eco-friendly while giving a boost to the devices that they power. The silver-zinc batteries are far more stable and reliable than lithium-ion batteries, and are at zero risk for melting-down or destroying the device from the inside due to heat surges or toxic chemical leaks. Currently, Apple has not yet included the silver-zinc battery technology in any of its products but has hinted that the switch may occur as early as the end of this year or the beginning of 2010.

The downside to the new silver-zinc battery technology is the fact that the battery will need to be enclosed in the device and will likely not be removable. For many consumers who use Apple products on a daily basis, this is a major turn-off. But looking at this issue a little more closely does reveal an interesting tidbit of information. The Ipod’s average lifespan, according to Apple, is 4 years. A more accurate number, which is derived from sales reports from the top 5 major retailers of Apple products, indicates that over 70% of iPods are replaced in less than 24 months. iPhones haven’t really been on the market long enough to know what their average lifespan would amount to, but it could be surmised that it would be around 2 to 3 years, give the accelerating pace and developments in cell phone technology pushing consumers to buy the latest and greatest piece of technology. That being said, Zpower estimates that their silver-zinc batteries would last between 24 and 36 months. This is just enough time for the average consumer to buy a new iPod or iPhone. With these facts in mind, the removable battery argument doesn’t shape up to be much of a threat to the silver-zinc battery technology.

Silver-zinc batteries are far less harmful to the environment, cost about the same to produce as the traditional lithium-ion batteries, and last about 40% longer as well. All of these are positive technological developments that will likely have an impact on the world and the consumer landscape in the next decade. But there also lies another question within the issue of battery technology: how does all of this translate into the investment world? Investors of precious metals have long argued that these metals, especially silver, are linked to industrial demand and production. A ramping-up of demand for silver would mean that this precious metal would likely see a surge in value as well. Many other facets of the precious metals investment vehicle would likely see real growth if Apple latches on to the new ZPower product. Silver will be one of the biggest benefactors as more and more green technology like silver-zinc batteries, high-efficiency solar panels, and next-generation superconductors are developed.