Are printer companies gouging us on laser toner pricing?

Your monochrome laser printer is supposed to be stress-free: sturdy, reliable, less complicated than a color laser, and not as costly to run as a color inkjet. Unfortunately, however, you may be paying considerably more to keep your laser printer filled with toner these days than you did earlier in the printer's life. I looked at 22 monochrome laser models that we've tested over the past three years, and compared their toner costs per page at the time of our reviews with their toner costs today

Printer Recycling Options

If your old printer is no longer in resale condition or you have no use for it, don't just throw it in the trash! You can do your part for the environment by participating in a recycling program for old electronics. Many electronics manufacturers are committed to maintaining environmentally-friendly practices and want to do their part to help the environment. You might also have the option to take your used printer to an electronics store in your local area so they can take care of the recycling process on your behalf.

Printers and copiers market grows 7 percent: Gartner

The combined serial inkjet and page printers, copiers and multifunction products (MFP) market in the country totalled 7,15,202 units in the second quarter of the year, a 6.8 percent increase over the year-ago period, according to research firm Gartner. The total end-user spending stood at USD 208.1 million, up 35 percent from the same period last year, Gartner said in a statement. "The MFP market growth here has been driven by the banking, financial services and insurance, education and government sectors," Gartner research analyst Amrita Choudhury said.

Oki Europe Launches the First Digital LED White Toner Printers

OKI Europe has added a major industry 'first' to its portfolio of innovative print solutions with the introduction of its range of digital LED A4 and A3 white toner printers. The new C711WT and C920WT models, showcased recently at OKI Europe's Smart Business Conference in Barcelona, have already highlighted a number of strong vertical market opportunities, from T-shirt transfers and film printing to innovative in-store point-of-sale applications.
The new white toner models are tried and tested devices that are well-regarded by OKI's target small and medium business (SMB) customer base for their high-quality output, robustness and affordability, making them suitable for graphic-based industries. OKI is the first company to introduce a toner-based solution to the "white printer" sector and will significantly expand what has so far been a highly specialist, complex, costly and low-volume market.
"In the past, products have been based on inkjet, dye sublimation or transfer film-ready technologies," says OKI Europe product marketing manager, Paul Ingram. "These have niche applications in areas such as garment decoration or printing proofs for packaging applications which are typically expensive both to purchase and maintain and the production time is lengthy.

Epson launches cloud compatible server-less retail printing solution

As mobile devices and cloud-based systems rapidly transform management systems and customer experiences in retail and hospitality, Epson has released cloud compatible POS printers – the TM-i intelligent printer series TM-T88V-i and TM-T70-i — that reduce costs and streamline customer interaction and experience.
Epson Australia’s Business Unit Manager Craig Heckenberg said TM-i intelligent printers provide ‘driver-less’ and ‘server less’ printing at the point-of-sale by communicating directly with tablets and mobile devices without the use of a server or PC.
“Mobile devices and tablets are transforming management systems and customer interactions in the retail and hospitality sectors. Epson has developed a printing solution that integrates seamlessly with multiple devices and existing IT systems while also leading the way in supporting mobile platforms and cloud-based systems,” said Craig.
“As more businesses in retail and hospitality sectors employ cloud-based solutions because of the lower cost and quick and easy deployment, their printing systems need to be cloud compatible. Epson’s TM-i intelligent printer series is not only a solution but also enhances the benefits that cloud-based systems bring.”
Easily implemented in hospitality environments such as restaurants and bars where tablets are used for taking and communicating orders the TM-i series printers are also ideal for retail stores using mobile sale capture devices to cut down on queuing times at the till point.
The TM-i printers can also act as mini-servers, delivering a staff and customer software interface to smartphones and tablets that allows multiple item selection for transactions and printing. As no PCs, servers or drivers are necessary for the TM-T88V-i and TM-T70-I to operate, businesses can also significantly reduce power consumption with fewer pieces of equipment online.
Epson’s new ePOS print technology in the TM-i series enables users to print out receipts, tickets and coupons at the point of sale or in back office and kitchen environments from any device running a HTML5 compatible web browser such as Safari®, Chrome, Internet Explorer and the standard Android browser.
Epson’s ePOS print technology recognises all major ESC/POS functions which are sent as XML commands allowing the TM-T88V-i and TM-T70-i to control cash drawers and other Epson TM series printers, wired or wireless, consequently improving systems interfaces and streamlining communications between devices.
Needing only a network connection to work with most operating platforms including iOS, Android and Windows and using Epson’s TMNet Web configuration tool, the TM-T88V-i and TM-T70-i are easily integrated into existing IT systems and can communicate with multiple devices simultaneously using different applications without users having to change settings.
The TM-i series printers have all the functions and features of Epson’s current marketing leading POS printers TM-T88V and TM-T70, such as greyscale printing for the addition of logos and images to receipts on the TM-T88V-i, while the TM-T70-i controls paper loading at the front of the device and has a splash-proof housing that makes it ideal for mounting under counters.

Ricoh Multifunction Printers Support Apple’s AirPrint

Ricoh Company, Ltd. announced that some of its multifunction printers (MFPs）support AirPrint, the native printing function offered by Apple. This makes it possible for customers to print documents, photographs, images, and so forth directly from an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch without installing a printer driver or an application. An upgrade of MFPs firmware may be necessary depending on the models.

Build Your Own 3D Printer For Under $800

MakerBot Industries was one of the first companies to dabble in open source DIY 3D printers. Anybody could download the files and make the parts that made up the printer. Since then, MakerBot has turned to pre-assembled 3D printers that they sell on the cheap. Fortunately, others have moved in to provide new open source 3D printer designs. The latest DIY 3D printer is called the Eventorbot. The design is completely open source and it’s relatively cheap to boot. It’s built out of steel and a few 3D printable parts. You can obtain all the parts right now from Thingiverse.

Simply Fill PDF Forms Directly with Excel or CSV Data

Universe Software announces pdf-FieldMerge for Mac OS X, Windows 9x, and Linux. In the latest version of pdf-FieldMerge, Excel and CSV files can be opened directly and used as a data source. The table or tables are displayed in the user interface and the user specifies, with one mouse click, which records should be used to fill the PDF form template.
The use of large data sets is easy. Even the formation of the file name is defined graphically. One mouse click and in no time hundreds of personalized PDF forms are created.
Currently, Excel (xls), CSV and FDF files are processed directly. Further data connections, such as databases are planned, as is automated e-mail delivery.
Batch processing is possible enabling users to fill in one operation to a variety of PDF forms using a single data source. The same field parameters can also be passed on. For example, users may set the write protect on a field or fields to be converted to text (flatten).
pdf-FieldMerge is primarily aimed at users who wants easily create customized PDF forms. Unlike PDF printer, drivers remain with pdf-FieldMerge created PDF forms and can be filled out or continue to be overwritten. This also applies provided with Adobe digital rights management (DRM) and PDF forms.
pdf-FieldMerge is available in several versions, including use on single workstations, servers, operating at Web providers and incorporating into applications.

3D printing comes to New York steets

3D printer manufacturer MakerBot is making its biggest effort yet to target the consumer market with the release of a new low-cost model and the opening of a New York store. The $2,199 Replicator 2 features 100-micron layer resolution - and can make bigger objects than its predecessors, of up to 410 cubic inches in volume. Maximum dimensions are 11.2 by 6.0 by 6.1 inches. "With our fourth generation product, we have made the best desktop 3D printer on the market, made it affordable to both professionals and hobbyists, and made it cool looking," says CEO Bre Pettis.

AMS to launch the Labelmaxer

Leading mailing and packaging equipment supplier AMS are proud to add the M1C Labelmaxer, new short-run desktop digital colour label printer to its product line. The printer, known to be the fastest of its kind is being launched in Birmingham at the PPMA show on 25th-27th September 2012 and in London at the Packaging Innovations exhibition on 4th – 5th October at the Business Design Centre, Islington.
The M1C Labelmaxer colour label printer gives users the freedom to print the exact amount of labels they need in high quality and extremely low cost. The colour printer can produce a colour label or impression in seconds, and a full roll or stack of labels or impressions in minutes. The printer runs in full colour at 1,600 x 800 dpi at 300mm/second or 1,600 x 1,600 dpi at 150mm/second. Print width runs from 50mm to 222mm and can handle substrates from 0.13mm to 0.33mm thick.

Fuji Xerox Printers opens demonstration centre in Sydney

Fuji Xerox Printers has officially opened its new demonstration centre for resellers and customers in Sydney. The new facility is located in Alexandria and will showcase the full range of Fuji Xerox printers ranging from its entry-level printers, multifunction devices and through to higher end A3 models.
David Borg, General Manager, Fuji Xerox Printers Australia and New Zealand said, “This new centre represents a major investment in our local partner community.  Our business has grown rapidly over the past several years and we have been under increasing pressure to provide a central facility where our partners and their customers can experience the full range of printers first hand. The new centre opened this week with a series of breakfast business seminars for partners and customers and featured a Fuji Xerox printer giveaway to every attendee.

Copiers Refurbished Celebrates 10 Years

Copiers Refurbished, a company based in Minnesota, is celebrating 10 years of excellent service this year. The company sells refurbished name brand copy machines, and is dedicated to quality customer service.
Copiers Refurbished has over 4,000 copiers in stock at two 98,000 square foot corporate offices in Long Prairie, Minnesota and Dallas, Texas. The company has become one of the nation's largest copy machine distributors. A representative from the company said, "We require that all of our copy machines are sold to include a 'same as brand new' 90 day complete parts and labor warranty."
Copiers Refurbished sells name brand copiers from companies like Canon, Ricoh, Konica Minolta and Kyocera. Canon copy machines can come at a price, but Copiers Refurbished sells machines at discount levels up to 75% off MSRP. Copiers Refurbished also offers a complete line of Ricoh copy machines. Ricoh is considered the best full line of black and white as well as color copiers on the market. Copiers Refurbished carries a complete line of Toshiba copy machines as well. The company strives to offer a full range of copiers to suit the customer's needs.
Refurbishing used copiers is a process, and Copiers Refurbished uses an award-winning 93-point certification process to refurbish current models to their original showroom condition. All copy machines are used less than three months, and Copiers Refurbished offers free nationwide shipping to any street address in the contiguous United States. Copy machines sold by Copiers Refurbished come from short term rentals, sales demos, off lease contracts, and repossessions. They offer the same model for a significantly lower price.
The company also offers copier leasing programs. Statistics show that about 80 percent of all copiers purchased nationally each year are financed under a copier leasing program. In addition to the copier leasing program, Copiers Refurbished also offers copier financing. Their copiers are sold at 50-75% off the original MSRP, but with all the same financing flexibility

Prehistoric "Movie Monster" Mollusk Re-created With 3-D Printer

A spiky, well-armored mollusk that lived in the ocean 390 million years ago has been brought back to life with the help of 3-D printers. Less than an inch long, the oval-shaped creature—a species of so-called multiplacophoran dubbed Protobalanus spinicoronatus—was previously known from only a few rare and incomplete specimens, which made for inaccurate reconstructions.

OKI Data Americas MB451w All-In-One Multifunction Printer Introduced

http://www.surplustoner.com/sage/images/items/293946.jpgOKI Data Americas announces the company's latest addition to its expanding portfolio of award-winning A4 monochrome multifunction printers (MFPs). The entry-level MB451w mono MFP is equipped with copy, print, scan and fax functionality, and boasts wireless connectivity - delivering superior value within a compact device. The MB451w is ideal for demanding small workplaces and home offices, offering economical and versatile capabilities while optimizing productivity and performance.
The MB451w delivers a class-leading combination of functionality, flexibility and affordability, making it the ideal solution for environments with lower usage and print volume requirements. The device can be easily configured to a wireless network, providing users with increased flexibility and convenience. With print speeds of 30 pages per minute, RADF for fast copy, print and scan of double-sided documents, and a user-friendly graphical LCD display along with one touch buttons, the MB451w offers ease-of-handling and efficiency.
The MB451w will be available in Costco stores throughout the U.S. beginning in November 2012, in addition to OKI Data's more traditional distribution channel, at an MSRP of $299.

Cartridge supplies result in ink strains

The consumer watchdog is suing a company over allegations it misled businesses over the supply of ink cartridges. The case, to be heard in the Federal Court in Victoria on October 10, is being brought against Melbourne business Artorios Ink, its director, Tuan Nguyen and his brother, company sales manager Thuan Nguyen. In court documents obtained by Fairfax Media, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission presents declarations from five businesses Artorios Ink is alleged to have misled.

GoodReader for Good offers PDF encryption, collaboration

Good.iWare is offering its PDF-reading capabilities to companies with an eye toward security, with the launch of GoodReader for Good. The new app is a secure, enterprise-focused version of the popular GoodReader PDF-reading and -annotation application for iPad. Obtaining the new app will be more complicated than the usual simple download offered in the App Store: Users must contact the developer ahead of time to obtain an activation key. Once downloaded, app users will be able to read, annotate, and share PDFs with workplace collaborators. The files will be password-protected using FIPS-certified encryption techniques.

Mimaki at Photokina

Mimaki Engineering has announced the UJF-6042 A2 format UV flatbed printer with LED curing and multiple ink options. In addition to its larger format size, this printer incorporates many of the innovative improvements Mimaki has introduced in the UJF-3042 series, including 6-colour process colour, white ink, clear ink, to be used as spot varnish, and the ability to print on substrates up to 150mm thick. The UJF-6042 will be unveiled at Photokina, scheduled for 18 - 23 September, 2012, in Cologne, Germany. Commercial availability is expected in December of 2012.

Canon unveils five imagePROGRAF large-format printers

Canon U.S.A unveiled five imagePROGRAF large-format printers -the iPF9400, iPF9400S, iPF8400, iPF6450 and iPF6400- that deliver superb color quality, color consistency and output speeds. The Canon imagePROGRAF iPF9400 (12-color, 60-inch), iPF8400 (12-color, 44-inch), iPF6450/6400 (12-color, 24-inch) and iPF9400S (8-color, 60-inch) printers offer improved color stability designed for precise, ultra high-quality print performance with increased speed and productivity. All of these models utilize Canon’s LUCIA EX pigment ink set.

Kodak signs deal with book printer

New York City-based On Demand Books hopes as soon as late this year to begin wrapping its Espresso Book Machine into Kodak’s retailer-based photo kiosks. About the size of a pair of office multifunction devices, and built with Xerox Corp. 4112 copier/printers, Espressos can print, bind and trim a softbound book within a couple of minutes. By adding in Kodak picture kiosks, the Espresso would also be able to turn out photo-related merchandise such as photo books, said On Demand CEO Dane Neller.

A Portable Printer That Turns Phone Pics Into Polaroids

In 2008, at the closing of a Polaroid factory in Enschede, The Netherlands, Dr. Florian Kaps, an enthusiast of all things instant photography, and André Bosman, a former manager at Polaroid, met for the first time and quickly found common ground: Neither thought the world was quite ready to let the iconic instant film go. So they bought some machines and a building from Polaroid, hired a small team of its most fanatical former employees, and started The Impossible Project, an effort to produce new instant film for old school Polaroid cameras. They’ve been remarkably successful. But if making a viable business out of tiny, so-so quality photographs in an era of ubiquitous smartphone cameras seemed impossible, the outfit’s latest effort is equally unlikely. It’s a collapsible photo printer that lets you turn any iPhone photo into a Polaroid print in seconds.

Photocopier Goes on Rampage Mode

We had better warn those of you who sit near the photocopier at work of the perils of this machine. As you go about your daily business, you could be in danger of suffering a fate worse than sitting next to the guy who eats egg salad at his desk. You laugh. A copier? Come on, you gotta be kidding me. That shredder looks pretty nasty, but the copier?  It’s got nothing on me!

3D printers bring hi-tech manufacturing to the home

3D printers -- which use a process called additive manufacturing to make objects from a digital model by laying down layers of material -- aren't new. They've been used to make manufacturing and engineering prototypes for more than 25 years. But printer makers are now turning their attention to the consumer market, and have been rewarded with soaring sales and stock prices -- as well as the prospect of lucrative buyouts.

Fax Reader 1.9.2 for iOS

Corporate Smalltalk Consulting, Ltd. has announced the release of Fax Reader 1.9.2 for iOS, a language update to their document viewer/handler app that allows the user to either view the TIF files generated by standard office fax machines, or convert them to PDF documents for other apps to use. As faxes are increasingly emailed to save on paper costs, Fax Reader works by supplementing the existing document display logic found in iOS, which will only display the first page of a fax but not allow access to subsequent pages even with iOS 5. The app now includes support for German, French, Chinese, Hebrew, Russian, Korean and Japanese.

Apex introduces new anilox line to Americas market

Apex has launched reduced-weight UltraCell series anilox rolls, the ReadyRoll advance in-stock roll program, and GTT-Label, at Labelexpo Americas 2012. Visitors to the Apex booth can also see a new adapter sleeves tailored to the needs of label flexo printers.
John Batistatos, narrow web sales director, said: ‘With UltraCell anilox and GTT-Label rolls that are 30-50 percent lighter than others, more durable, precise and in-stock, customers can now choose price, quality and turnaround.’
Ken Ralton, VP of sales, added: ‘We are eager to bring to North and South America our global reputation for quality, reliability and expert service. In the European marketplace, Apex label and narrow web anilox product sales continue to soar because customers know our products are innovative, reliable and promptly-delivered. We now offer that same quality to the Americas.’

Free PDF image extractor offers easy way to unlock images

Unless you are a dab hand with an image editor, having a utility that can extract images from a PDF is a useful thing, for the maybe three times a year you need it. Fortunately, 4dots Software provides their PDF Image Extractor free of charge, so if you need to extract an image that's locked within a PDF you won't need to also extract your wallet from your pants pocket. Free PDF Image Extractor is easy to use. Simply add as many PDF files as you want--created by any PDF creation software--to the extraction window.

Cutting printing costs, one pixel at a time

An Israeli start-up, Preton Ltd., produces a software agent, downloadable to a personal computer or server, that trims unnecessary pixels from all documents—images and text—so printers expel less ink and toner to reproduce them. Preton’s patented Pixel Optimizer system works without reducing the sharpness of the printed documents, said Chief Executive Ori Eizenberg.

The Doxie Go portable document scanner

The $199 Doxie Go is a 10.5" x 1.7" x 2.2" piece of plastic that weighs a little less than a pound, similar in size and shape to other mobile document scanners like those in Fujitsu’s ScanSnap lineup or Brother’s DSmobile 600. Like the scanners in these competing products, the Doxie Go’s maximum resolution is 600 dpi, but it usually defaults to 300 dpi. By my count, it takes about 8.5 seconds to make a 300 dpi scan of a standard 8.5” by 11” sheet of paper, and around 33 seconds to scan the same sheet at 600 dpi.

Enable the Built-in PDF Reader in Firefox 15

Mozilla recently rolled out Firefox 15, the latest version of the browser in their new rapid-release schedule.  With this new release there are quite a few new features, which have been outlined in the above linked post.  One interesting feature that bears a little more attention and some explanation is the new built-in PDF reader.

Hewlett-Packard expands job cuts by 2,000

Hewlett-Packard will cut about 2,000 more jobs than previously announced as part of CEO Meg Whitman's effort to turn the company around. In a regulatory filing Monday, the computer and printer maker says it will cut 29,000 jobs by October 2014, up from the 27,000 cuts it announced in May. It didn't explain why it had raised the number. As before, it expects some of the job cuts to come through an early retirement program.

Print your aircraft? Technology offers new tools

Building an airplane from a kit takes dedication, and, usually, thousands of hours of labor. More often than not, kits and scratch-built efforts are left unfinished by exhausted aviators. John Nicol hopes to change that, using new technologies for fabricating parts, and open source plans that his organization plans to post for free online.

RepRap 3-D Printer Copies Its Way Into the World

Nobody knows how many plastic-parts-producing RepRap 3-D printers there are in the world. The best estimate, from the man who developed it, is that 10,000 to 30,000 of the desktop-sized manufacturing machines now exist. It’s hard to get a precise number because one of the core tenets of RepRap—short for replicating rapid prototyper—was to make a printer that could print out more copies of itself.
 “I just started this project; I’m not in control of it,” says Dr. Adrian Bowyer, a retired University of Bath engineer who created the first version of the printer and who now runs a company that makes and sells RepRap kits.

New EPSON Connect Enhancements

Epson America, Inc. announced an upgrade to its suite of free EPSON Connect mobile printing solutions, making it easier and more powerful for users to print documents, emails, photos, and web pages from anywhere in the world using an EPSON Connect enabled printer and an iPad, iPhone, tablet, smartphone, computer, or laptop.1
The convenient and robust mobile printing features of EPSON Connect include: EPSON Email Print – Remotely send documents and photos directly to an EPSON printer's unique email address to easily print from any email-enabled device. EPSON iPrint Mobile App – Print web pages, Microsoft Office documents, photos, and PDFs from anywhere; also scan and save files from a nearby EPSON printer before sending it as an email or uploading it to a cloud service such as Box, Dropbox, Evernote, or Google Docs. Available for free download from the Apple AppStore or Google Play. EPSON Remote Print – Print remotely from a computer or laptop to an EPSON email-enabled printer anywhere in the world using any Windows application – not just Microsoft Office – to streamline productivity without worrying about formatting or customizing fonts.
EPSON Connect incorporates an optional level of security to ensure users have the ability to reduce unwanted prints and eliminate spam. By enabling an "Approved Sender's List," users can specify the email addresses or domains that are allowed to print unattended to the printer's email address.

Desktop Fax, way to go for Most Physicians for E-Prescribing

Robots compound and dispense pills at hospitals and pharmacies. But now there’s something even better, faxes. 'Fax is the only guaranteed way to transmit something electronically,' as Brent Lothrop, president of The Fax Guys, a Burnsville, Minn., reseller of Canadian-made RightFax software. 'That's why it's widely used to move documents in health care, where there are federal privacy rules'

Xerox SA launches fast, efficient light production series

Xerox' newest series of light production devices, the Xerox D95/D110/D125 Copier/Printer and D110/D125 Printer, which deliver sharp black-and-white image quality with speed and efficiency were recently launched at Africa Print Expo in Sandton. Built to handle the demands of print-intensive environments, the devices make it easy for educators to create curriculum materials, student directories, course packs and bound materials. Productivity can be increased with archiving and stamping software allowing legal, insurance and healthcare users to store documents electronically and guarantee their authenticity with numerical markings. In the print-for-pay market, commercial, quick and franchise, printers can meet tight turnaround times and offer more applications and services, like newsletters, on-demand book publishing and customised catalogues.

Mutoh America, Inc. Partners with Beaver Paper

Mutoh America, Inc., a leader in wide-format printers, announces its partnership with Beaver Paper to provide a free roll of TexPrintXP-HR sublimation paper with the shipment of every ValueJet 1624W and 1638W printer sold. The 64” x 393’ paper roll retails at $220. TexPrint Sublimation Papers and Mutoh dye-sublimation printers are used to image athletic wear, soft signage, snowboard, lanyards, trade show exhibits, coffee mugs, banners, mouse pads, tiles and much more. TexPrintXP-HR is fully compatible with Mutoh and the piezo print head technology, and is available in middle weight (105 gsm) and heavyweight (140 gms), and in roll widths from 24” to 126”.

The weird world where 3D printing and art collide

While we may never think the world of 3D movies, at least the 3D printing ecosystem continues to evolve rapidly in a good direction. With interest in 3D printers, as well as accessibility to them, becoming more commonplace, an increasing number of artists use these machines -- capable of making nearly anything -- to stretch the limits of design. The first 3D Print Show, held in London's Brewery next month -- October 19-21 -- gives those in the 3D printing industry a centralized venue for collaborating and educating, as well as showing off some mind-bending 3D creations.

Samsung Deploys Copiers With IPhone Power to Beat Japan

Samsung Electronics Co. is out to end yet another Japanese dominance. After beating household names such as Sony Corp. and Panasonic Corp. in televisions, memory chips and mobile phones in the past decade, South Korea’s biggest company is targeting rivals including Canon Inc. in the $32-billion-a-year market for copiers. Its weapon: chips as powerful as those running Apple Inc.s iPhone.

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Printers these days are better value than ever but, when the ink that comes with them runs dry, you may be in for a shock. Buying toner for a laser printer can cost more than filling up the car with petrol, while a set of inkjet cartridges can cost almost as much as getting a new printer. It’s no surprise then that there’s a booming industry in cheap, compatible alternatives.

Get ready for the future with 3-D printing

It's hard to spot a trend before it happens, and trends in technology are harder to decipher and predict than eating habits. But on our horizon is one powerful new technology, still in its birth pangs, that will revolutionize large parts of our production economy. It's called 3-D printing. It's just starting to be talked about more in the media now; I learned about it from a friend who is advising one of the young companies in the field. Enthusiasts say this is coming at us like a freight train -- but, in its early days, it looks very hard to me to tell how fast this train is moving.

Fax me your signed, sealed document...

Entire business sectors continue to base their business processes around impenetrable telephone interactions that both require you to click through endless sequences of voice prompts and then listen to annoying music loops. Assuming you ever get through to speak to a human and successfully navigate their mysterious process sequences, all to often faxed documents are required to consummate whatever the deal is you've just spent an agonizing period of your life interacting around.

Avery Dennison Announces New Free App for Android Devices

Avery Dennison’s Office and Consumer Products division, a global leader in office products, last week announced its new app for Android devices. The Avery Templates Everywhere Android app joins the Avery family of mobile solutions along with the highly rated iPad and the iPhone mobile digital device apps.
The Avery Templates Everywhere app for Android makes it easy for consumers to import contacts from their Android smart phone or tablet to print on Avery mailing labels, shipping labels, business cards, and more. Users simply choose which Avery label or card to use and select the desired data from the contact list in their Android device. The labels or cards are then automatically formatted into the correct layout for their Avery product.
The Avery Templates Everywhere app also makes it easy to add new contacts to an Android device. Users can simply scan addresses from envelopes or business cards using their Android phone or tablet and quickly add them to their address book—a great way to conveniently update mailing lists while attending conferences or meetings.

1DollarScan Takes Service to Cloud, Authors Guild Worried

1DollarScan, a service that lets publishers, authors, and consumers mail work to be digitized and sent back as a PDF, is fully integrating with Evernote, allowing its scanning service to be utilized in the cloud.
 1DollarScan, which has its roots in Japan (it's operated by zLibro, Inc.) and is based out of San Jose in the U.S., provides its scanning services for all customers under the condition of Fair Use. Users agree to the terms and conditions, which does not allow the sharing or distribution of any scanned content (additionally, a user agreement form is signed by the user and scanned as part of the delivered PDF file to show ownership). Copyright holders can specify their approval or denial of the scanning of printed books at 1DollarScan’s Copyright Management Center.
1DollarScan’s scans are compatible with all platforms, and use Fine Tune technology, a free service that optimizes the reading experience for all devices with high resolution and color quality. Despite assurances that copyright is protected under fair use provisions, the Authors Guild, for one, is concerned. When reached for a statement, the Authors Guild's executive director Paul Aiken said: "If the information on its website is accurate, this is a copyright infringement service. Their fair use defense is laughable." He continued: "There are differences between digitization projects of 1DollarScan and Google and HathiTrust, but they share this: each is subverting the author's fundamental right to choose whether or not to make a work available digitally, and under what terms. Though it makes sense for most authors to enter the digital book market, digitization has clear risks. It's not up to unlicensed third parties to choose whether to take those risks with an author's work."