http://www.itnews.com.au/News/157246,lexmark-inkjets-get-the-iphone-makeover.aspx LEXMARK INKJET GETS I-PHONE MAKEOVER Online apps downloadable straight to touchscreen. Lexmark’s
latest eight inkjet multi-function devices (MFDs) for the small and
medium business market bring colourful, downloadable, one-touch
applications that resemble those on Apple’s iPhone.The top three
devices sport a 4.3-inch touchscreen which can download applications
from an online application store run by the vendor.The “Smart
Solutions” one-touch applications include scanning business cards,
scanning to folders, a cartridge locator, print photos directly from
online photo galleries and even RSS feeds to news and weather sites.
There
are 14 applications in the online store, with more awaiting approval.
Lexmark has not released the software development kit for its inkjet
range, though it has for the enterprise (laser) range.The applications
for Lexmark’s inkjet MFDs are not compatible with its enterprise
range.The applications appear as colourful buttons on the black
touchscreen, which looks very similar to the iPhone’s interface. The
touchscreen MFDs start at $399 including GST and top out at $599.Other
features include wireless 802.11g on the more basic MFDs and 802.11n
and Ethernet on the upper range. All but the two entry-level models
print double-sided, although scanning is only single-sided.
Lexmark
claims the 802.11n, web-connected touchscreens and business
applications as world firsts.All the products are built on the same
platform and use the one series of cartridges. The larger printers can
use a 510-page black cartridge which sells for $7.95 and drops the per
page cost to one cent.Stephen Bell, channel and SMB manager for
Lexmark, said he had been talking to reseller partners about the range
this month and had received very positive feedback.The printers are
backed by an on-site exchange warranty, covered in the first 12 months
by the retailer and for three years by the channel.