Apple’s iOS 4.2 AirPrint to Support HP ePrint

iOS 4.2, due out in November, will add wireless printing support to the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, in the form of AirPrint, and Apple announced on Wednesday that it will also support HP’s ePrint protocol.

“AirPrint is Apple’s powerful new printing architecture that matches the simplicity of iOS — no set up, no configuration, no printer drivers and no software to download,” said Apple senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, Phil Schiller.

By including ePrint support in AirPrint, users with compatible HP printers will be able to print from their iOS apps without additional setup over local wireless networks.

AirPrint also supports printers shared via Mac or PC computers, too. Printer sharing via the Mac will require Mac OS X 10.6.5, however, so it seems Snow Leopard will be receiving an update by the time iOS 4.2 ships.

The feature requires iOS 4.2 running on an iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad, or second generation or later iPod touch.

Apple introduced iOS 4.2 during a special iPod-related media event in early September. The update will be available as a free download in November.