It’s now possible to print documents from 6000 miles away. The researchers at Hewlett-Packard (HP) Labs, Bangalore, have developed a new printing technology, which makes it possible. The nine member team of HP researchers has invented “CloudPrint” technology, which allows users to print from a BlackBerry remotely by using any printer.

Sounding elated about the invention of the new technology, the Principal, Office of Imaging and Printing Group-Chief Technology Officer, HP, Sridhar Solur said, "Our team from Bangalore made this technology possible." Solur tested the “CloudPrint” technology by printing a document in Bangalore through his BlackBerry, while he was addressing the media from London through telepresence.

The Director, Global Delivery Application Services, HP-India cluster, PV Venkatachalam (Venkee) led the team of researchers, who developed “CloudPrint” technology in Bangalore HP labs. Venkee said, "It was exciting to work on this innovative technology and it took us 4-5 months to develop it.” Atul, Ranjeetha, Asif, Rahul, Harish Kamath, Shiva, Ranga, and Srihari were the other eight members of the team.

With CloudPrint technology, the web services based solution, the users can print emails, documents, photo and web pages through their smartphones. The CloudPrint technology doesn’t require a driver to start printing, but only needs an internet access. The technology is greatly beneficial for the people who were not permitted to use their USB flash drives in hotels and other places, because of the fear of viruses.     

CloudPrint technology is presently in beta stage. The technology is currently available through just a few BlackBerry smartphones within HP capable. According to Solur, "The technology will be available to other customers by another two quarters.”

Solur told that the technology will be initially launched in enterprises, where only the employees will be able to use it. Solur said, "Our goal is to enable even the small cybercafes to make use of this technology in the future and create a new marketplace for printing.”

HP unveiled the CloudPrint technology at the Wireless Enterprise Symposium in the United States, a few weeks ago. The CloudPrint technology represents a new alliance between HP and Research in Motion (RIM).