In the world of Google Cloud Print, you can print anything, from any device, to any ‘cloud-connected’ printer.
When you print through Google Cloud Print, your file is securely sent to your printer over the web. Because it’s the web, Google Cloud Print works whether you’re in the same room as your printer, or on another continent. It also doesn’t matter whether you’re on a smartphone, a traditional desktop, or anything in between (like a tablet).
Here’s a good video that explains the how Google Cloud Print works.
Why should I care?
Before Google Cloud Print, it was never convenient to access a given printer from a myriad of devices like cell phones, tablets or computers that weren’t directly connected to the printer. Printer manufacturers and OS developers alike tried to make it easier for consumers, but none of their solutions were as reliable and comprehensive as what Google has done.
Take for example the aging Brother laser printer connected to my wife’s PC via USB. This printer pre-dates Apple’s AirPrint or HP’s ePrint initiative and lacks network connectivity (wired or wireless). All attempts to share this printer via Microsoft printer sharing (which only works with other Microsoft PCs of course) have failed. I am able to get Apple AirPrint working sometimes via a NetGear extender connected to the PC that the printer’s connected to, but that too is unreliable, and my Linux machines are still out in the cold.
Enter Google Cloud Print. With Google Chrome installed, and by following the instructions available here, within minutes any Web-connected device will be able to print to your printer, without concern for geography, OS, drivers, or any of the other issues that made this an impossible task in the past.
Another interesting feature of Google Cloud Print is printer sharing that was described in the video referenced above. It’s one thing to be able to print to a printer you set up and that has your Google credentials associated with it. It’s yet another matter to print to someone else’s printer which they have shared to you, or for them to print to a printer you have shared. Here’s how it works in 4 easy steps:
- Visit the Google Cloud Print management page.
- Click the Printers on the left side.
- Select the printer that you want to share.
- Click the Share button.
Now how easy is that? Google Cloud Print setup is supposed to be even easier with ePrint enabled printers. I can’t confirm this because my printers were purchased in the Dark Ages. But I thought the process was pretty easy with my legacy printer, and it all just works, as do most things from Google (except for Google + – don’t get me started…).
Check out Google Cloud Print. I think you’ll be very impressed, expecially if you have several different devices in your household you want to be able to print from, or if you’re enamored with the prospect of being able to share your printer with friends and family.
