Apple Computer Inc reckons Hewlett-Packard Co’s ink-jet technology has moved ahead of that of its present supplier, Canon Inc and is considering splitting its printer business between the two. Apple would continue to take lasers, and ink cartridges for the inkjets it rebadges, from Canon, while sourcing its next generation ink-jets from HP and having rather more of its own technology built into them. The new printers are expected to be available in nine months to a year. HP is estimated to have more than 60% of the world ink-jet market and it could garner $250m a year more from Apple.
