THE NEWS IN PRINT

Ford is expected to pioneer computer system with accessories like wireless internet, printer and other wireless accessories on its F-series pickup trucks. The bid is to help construction workers manage work better at job sites.

The projected system is called as Ford Work Solutions and it creates a database of tool inventories and track the tools used for specific jobs. The worker/driver will feed the kind of job he/she is going to do and the computer will instruct on the tools to be carried along.

Powered with wireless internet, workers can access files remotely from the central server. Also, managers can track workers remotely for better supervision.

The Ford F-150 is expected to come with an in-dash computer and an inkjet printer. As of now, we do not have further information on the kind of printer that is expected to go into the vehicle. Prices are awaited as well.

People who use PCs may or may not care about the design of their products. Mac users always care. Apple is known for the innovative design of everything it creates from the iPod to the ultra-thin Macbook Air. Not to be outdone by the creators of the products, Mac users challenge themselves to set up their equipment in creative, aesthetically pleasing ways. In other words, Mac users create home and office setups that reflect just how cool they are for using a Mac.

The Vice-President of the European Union, Franco Frattini has issued an official statement against the concept of secret yellow grids to identify counterfeits. It states that the use of any secret codes through printers will lead to human rights violation.

"To the extent that individuals may be identified through material printed or copied using certain equipment, such processing may give rise to the violation of fundamental human rights, namely the right to privacy and private life. It also might violate the right to protection of personal data."�

According to him, there were no laws in the European Union that would allow printer manufacturers to permit printing unique secret codes in (laser) printers.

"The Commission is not aware of any specific laws either at national or at Community level governing tracking mechanisms in colour laser printers and photocopiers."�

Secret Service in the US is using these secret codes to track offenders involved in counterfeiting currencies. Almost all laser printer manufacturers are abiding by the secret service's acumen and have introduced invisible yellow dots that can potentially identify each print to the printer's owner.

The king of instant photographs, Polaroid, has found an able and trustable partner in Zink. The tie up between the giants is bound on job nature rather than strategy. The outcome is Digital Mobile Photo Printer which is based on Zink's inkless printing technology and Polaroid's expertise in producing instant photographs.

The aforesaid printer is capable of producing 2"� X 3"� borderless photographs. It can connect to cell phones through Bluetooth and digital cameras through PictBridge and USB port. Users can instantly print photographs by syncing the camera devices with the printer. The printer takes a minute for each print.

The printing is inkless and hence no cartridge hassles. Special Zink photo paper needs to be used. Here's a brief about the technology:

Without ink, ribbons, or even toners, the ZINK printer utilizes a patented paper that changes its color when heat is applied. This is made possible with the dye crystals that were put inside the photo paper. At room temperature, the photo paper looks like any other paper. It's colorless. But when inserted in the printer, the heat that was activated when you start printing releases the shades in the embedded crystals to create a plethora of colors that take the shape of your image.

The Digital Mobile Photo Printer should be made available in the US sometime during August/September this year. The estimated pricing of this product is around £75. The cost per print is around 15p per print.

The video below shows the printer in action. It was shot at CES 2008.

JK Rowling is in the right state of mind by opting for greener form of paper. She had earlier published her English version of Harry Potter 7: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on environmental friendly Forest Steward Council (FSC) approved paper. The estimated savings was around 197,685 trees and 7.9 million kilograms of greenhouse gases. While other publishers worry about the money saved on printing, the Harry Potter creator is on a different plane altogether.

FSC is a non-profit organisation which has taken responsibility for managing the world's forests. The organisation identifies forest products that come from responsible sources which helps consumers make the right choice.

She recently made news by stopping all printing activities of her final book in the series in the Finnish version. Non availability of FSC paper in Finland seems to be the reason for the non-production. Finland is one of the largest nations for paper production and they have labels similar to FSC but JK was unwilling to budge.

"The availability of FSC products in Finland is still very poor. We use mainly the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes, but we do promote sustainable forestry. We also try to promote FSC," Antti Otsamo of the Finnish Federation of Forest Industries said.