Spring 2006

Mobile workers needing to print highly formatted output from handheld devices whilst out in the field now have a new option, thanks to a partnering deal between printer manufacturer Pentax Technologies Europe and ThinPrint.

Using the ThinPrint system, users can print from mobile devices such as BlackBerry handhelds and Symbian-based smartphones directly to the Pentax PocketJet 3 BT and 3Plus portable printers.

Whilst other technologies exist to connect handhelds to printers via Bluetooth wireless link, ThinPrint's Content Beamer technology adds a further dimension. It allows large file attachments accompanying email messages to be sent direct from the Internet server to the local printer in compressed form, without having to be downloaded to the mobile device first.

The company cites complex maps, blueprints and technical diagrams as examples of the kind of document that could be handled. Many such items could not be displayed on the handheld properly, and could take ages to download.

 

If formatting is not a priority, and users want to print a text file that is already stored on the handheld, local printing is also supported.

Pentax points out that its PocketJet3 and 3 Plus range also have USB and infrared ports, and additionally support Windows laptops, Pocket PC devices and Palm OS handheld devices.