Lexmark Interact : Printer of a Future Generation
Printers are perhaps the only gadgets that have evolved from the dust to a device that can fly a rocket. Well, I exaggerated the rocket part a little. But, yes, printers have been played around and the result is a super-multi-functional device. The latest manufacturer to exploit the printer is Lexmark with their Interact range of printers. These printers have touchscreens on them, and they connect to internet and users can read RSS feeds directly and print them. How cool is that?
A brief on these printers – there are two other models along with Interact, Prestige and Platinum and they cost £199, £299 and £399 respectively. All three printers are powered by Wi-Fi. Lexmark claims that the cost of prints from these printers will be under 1p, which is a big statement to make. What more, users can download applications and install them on their printers just as you would do on your Palm Pilot.
Surely, the brains behind the printer must be thinking beyond just hooking onto the net and downloading RSS feeds. The 4.3″ LCD screen is by no means sufficient or comfortable for a user to read feeds off the net. The hidden agenda is to allow users to read the headlines and print the content. When content gets printed, ink gets consumed. When ink gets consumed, users buy more ink. When users buy ink, Lexmark’s coffers rise steadily. Good strategy, huh! Are they thinking about being eco-friendly at all?
About the author:
Abhinav has been blogging about printing and related technologies on CreativeCloud for several years. He is also a project manager for a large technology company.
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