By Graham K. Rogers

Epson is well known for, among other products, its range of printers. The company has announced that 105 of its printers, available worldwide, will support Apple AirPrint. This means that users can directly from an iOS device (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch) without the need to connect software, drivers or cables. The feature is "an important part of Epson's commitment to make mobile printing more convenient and productive."

Ian Cameron of Seiko Epson Corporation said that mobile printing is "a necessary requirement for both sharing memories and mobile productivity in a rapidly changing digital marketplace. As iPhone and iPad momentum continues to grow, Epson will continue to lead the development of various innovative mobile digital imaging solutions."

AirPrint is already integrated into apps like Mail, Photos, Safari and iBooks. Many other apps available via the iTunes app store also utilize Apple AirPrint, so this newer, wider availability of printers will make it more convenient to print directly from iOS devices.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs.