It’s summer. It’s probably raining. But in those all too brief spells of sunshine, it’s time to get your smartphone out and take some snaps while you lounge in the sunshine. The only problem is you take so many photos on holiday or on a hot day out that you can’t find the good ones to upload on Facebook later.
And don’t even start on printing. Your only option usually is to send the photo in an email to your PC, to print it off on crummy white paper that isn’t glossy, and that won’t look good in any kind of picture frame.
Hey, not anymore. CBR‘s compiled a list of the best mobile printers on the market. Just for you.
VuPoint Photo Cube
This device allows you to print straight from a docked iPhone or iPod touch, while any iPad or Android device can be connected via a USB. It does lack Bluetooth and a battery, which is a pain for people who want a more tech-savvy printer, but measuring just 4x7x6 inches, it’s very portable, while a single cartridge can print up to 36 4×6" photos.
Polaroid Socialmatic
Okay, so digital photography killed Polaroid. But guess what? It’s back! Well, not yet, but Polaroid has announced its intentions to launch a 14-megapixel camera late this year with WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities and and a 4.5" touchscreen.
The price ($299) means it’ll be hard to peddle to most smartphone users, but the fact it includes a printer harks back to the childhood birthday parties we all hold dear, as you can print out a 2×3" snap just like you could in the old days
It prints using Zero Ink, which is contained within the printer paper as clear dye crystals, which are heated by the printer to release them, creating an image.
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Lantronix xPrintServer
As small as an iPhone, Lantronix’s concept behind the xPrintServer is pretty simple: it lets you print from mobile devices. You don’t need to download an app or install software – you just turn it on and print. It effectively acts as a shortcut between your phone or tablet and the printer you keep at home, and works with more than 4,000 top brand USB and network printers.
The iOS version costs £60 but for some reason Android is significantly more expensive, at £91.
Polaroid Grey Label GL10
Nowhere in the name of this product does it indicate that Lady Gaga is the creative mind responsible for it. You’d think a company would want to show off about it. Despite the gaudy pop star’s involvement, the device looks surprisingly sensible, but packs all the fun we all cherish Polaroid for as a brand.
The Grey Label can print 3×4" waterproof photographs using Zero Ink technology and lets you print via Bluetooth and USB port. It’s pretty small too, so it’ll slip easily into your bag and you can forget all about it.
