5 Reasons Why HP Web-Connected Printer Will Be a Hit

HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web printer

1. The Cool Factor

The HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web uses a Web-based printing platform that can connect to Internet content via an app displayed as an icon on the touch screen. For instance, a user can select the USA Today icon on the touch screen and the app will retrieve the desired information from the Internet and print it out.

2. A Paradise For Developers

The new printer could be the new iPhone for app developers. At launch the printer will have free apps to access content from USA Today, Google, Fandango, Coupons.com, DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Web Sudoku and Weathernews.

But the little guy can get in the game as well and take advantage of the printer's open API, enabling the creation of cool new apps that users can download from HP Apps Studio.

3. Beyond Coupons And Coloring Books

Thanks to the aforementioned apps, users can print out some neat stuff directly from the Internet, such as customized coupons and color-ins featuring "Dora The Explorer."

Although there are people who question why anyone still uses printers, obviously hard copy is not going away. Sometimes looking at a Google Map on a handheld device just doesn't cut it.

For those who prefer a hard copy or find it more convenient, the new Web-connected printer offers a wealth of opportunities. How about printing airline boarding passes at home -- without having to navigate the Web? What about printing out a chapter of a book from a book on Kindle?

4. Ginormous LCD Screen

The apps icons are nicely displayed on a huge touch screen -- 4.33 inches -- making it the largest LCD touch screen of any all-in-one inkjet printer on the market. That's great news for those of us squinters. But it also means a potential new market segment for LCD makers. Hey, look at what HDTV did for the industry.

5. Competition

Speaking of new markets, while HP is the pioneer here, it won't take long for competitors to follow in its virtual footsteps. That means more choices and probably more innovations. It's also good news for consumers as more products will bring down prices. The HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web has a street price of $399.