# How will I print from an iPad? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 25, 2010, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383 "2010-02-25T13:33:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/21 "2010-02-26T15:36:35Z")
[http://www.ugnn.com/2010/01/print-from-ipad/](http://www.ugnn.com/2010/01/print-from-ipad/) ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/22 "2010-02-26T15:55:12Z")
Here is a PCMag Article on Iphone and Itouch Printing. I suspect most of the stuff they discuss will shortly be available for the Ipad. [http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2352101,00.asp](http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2352101,00.asp) ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/23 "2010-02-26T16:00:11Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > The iPod / iPhone / iPad are USB _peripherals_ - they plug into a USB _host_, like a computer. None of the above devices are USB hosts - they can’t accept USB peripherals. Well there’s a [camera connection kit](http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/apple-ipad-camera-connection-kit/) that can take USB (or a card) to transfer pictures, so that’s not _entirely_ true. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/24 "2010-02-26T16:19:11Z")
> [@mack](#): > > Well there’s a [camera connection kit](http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/apple-ipad-camera-connection-kit/) that can take USB (or a card) to transfer pictures, so that’s not _entirely_ true. Yes, but it does all the work. Basically just a computer in a matchbox. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/25 "2010-02-26T17:20:30Z")
> [@kferr](#): > > So basically a MacBook that you can’t fold shut. I’ll be rushing out to buy that. Well… a MacBook with a limited/different operating system, a 9" touch screen, half the weight, and twice the battery life. Clearly there are some tradeoffs and some advantages. An iPad is not going to be everyone’s ideal solution. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/26 "2010-04-27T00:08:41Z")
Why print anyway? I can wipe splashed puttanesca sauce off my iPAD screen with a paper towel. Try that with a printout. Peace ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/27 "2010-04-27T01:00:12Z")
> [@gazpacho](#): > > BUT the ipod end is proprietary and there is a lot of functionality that does not go over USB. The iPad/iPod/iPhone end is a 30 pin dock connector. It isn’t proprietary. The original for iPod carried USB, Firewire, some controls and line level audio. Since then they’ve dropped Firewire and added video. The simplest connector can be just USB to USB. > [@beowulff](#): > > The iPod / iPhone / iPad are USB _peripherals_ - they plug into a USB _host_, like a computer. None of the above devices are USB hosts - they can’t accept USB peripherals. You can plug an external keyboard into iPad, clearly it’s capable of acting as a USB host controller. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/28 "2010-04-27T01:13:25Z")
> [@BrandonR](#): > > This is just an iPhone that you can’t call from (or an oversized iPod touch if you will). I have spoken to someone using an iPad with a bluetooth headset, via one of the internet calling apps. Can’t remember which one he was using, but yes, you can make a call from an iPad. My boss bought one and uses it to do some productivity work on the job. Much of the stuff he has to enter is via the internet, so all he has to do is connect to wifi and he can wander from desk to desk working with his people while keying that stuff in, rather than being nailed to his desk while he is performing those job functions. He can also iChat with it, which allows people to contact him directly even when he’s not in the area. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/29 "2010-04-27T02:59:57Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Why print anyway? I can wipe splashed puttanesca sauce off my iPAD screen with a paper towel. Try that with a printout. Puttanesca sauce? What the hell kind of kinky stuff were you trying to do with the iPad? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/30 "2010-04-27T03:15:01Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > Puttanesca sauce? What the hell kind of kinky stuff were you trying to do with the iPad? Well, I haven’t yet. But I will be reading the recipe to make sure I don’t omit anything. Getting old, you see. And yes, I use the same skillet. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/31 "2010-04-27T03:36:24Z")
::: scratches head::: Am I missing something here? The iPad has bluetooth and Wi-fi. My printer has and uses Wi-fi, and I believe there are bluetooth printers out there. I’m not seeing a problem here. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/32 "2010-04-27T08:11:09Z")
Bluetooth and WiFi are wireless networking methods - that you can connect wireless device A to wireless device B does not at all guarantee that wireless device A will be able to say anything useful or meaningful to wireless device B, in order to make it do something (in this case, print a document). You still need some kind of driver or communication layer. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/33 "2010-04-27T12:46:50Z")
Someone above mentioned emailing the doc to yourself then printing it as is normal on your computer. A little awkward, maybe, but that should work. I plan to use my iPad as a tablet and not do a lot of printing anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/34 "2010-04-27T13:02:33Z")
There’s several apps available that claim they’ll print through WiFi, to Bonjour or even plain old ‘USB’d to the computer’ type printers. I’ve not gotten one yet as I’ve no urgent need to print from iPad and the Apps should impriove with shakeout over the next several months. Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard works nicely with iPad. Reportedly, [USB keyboards’ll etc feed in](http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/042610-ipad-camera-connection-kit-connects.html?hpg1=bn) through the Camera connection kit. A USB printer will plug in too, but it’s likely useless without an actual print command in the iPad apps themselves or an ancillary print utility. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/35 "2010-04-27T16:26:22Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Bluetooth and WiFi are wireless networking methods - that you can connect wireless device A to wireless device B does not at all guarantee that wireless device A will be able to say anything useful or meaningful to wireless device B, in order to make it do something (in this case, print a document). > > You still need some kind of driver or communication layer. > [@Squink](#): > > There’s several apps available that claim they’ll print through WiFi, to Bonjour or even plain old ‘USB’d to the computer’ type printers. I’ve not gotten one yet as I’ve no urgent need to print from iPad and the Apps should impriove with shakeout over the next several months… > > USB printer will plug in too, but it’s likely useless without an actual print command in the iPad apps themselves or an ancillary print utility. This is the main reason for no printing. Print drivers are different for each printer, are not written by Apple and often contribute to performance and stability problems on desktop computers. Print drivers could be more problematic than Flash is. Couple that with the fact that the iPad can be considered as a replacement for a stack of papers anyway and you get no direct printing. As noted, I expect that workable indirect methods will appear, but suspect that iPad printing will always depend on transferring files to a desktop or laptop which will do the actual printing. Currently this can be done manually by using iTunes to transfer and the appropriate application to print. Bottom line: I never expect to see native printing or the degree of flexibility in printing that we are accustomed to on general purpose computers. ---
**Author:** ![bashere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bashere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bashere)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/36 "2010-04-27T16:31:23Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/37 "2010-04-27T16:35:35Z")
> [@bashere](#): > > This means it is possible to write applications that access something plugged in to the USB cord Such as, for example, an [Arduino](http://www.arduino.cc/). ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/38 "2010-04-28T01:46:03Z")
Here is an iPad app that may be of interest: [PrintCentral](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/printcentral-for-ipad/id366020849?mt=8) ---
**Author:** ![pinkyvee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6de8d8/32.png) [@pinkyvee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkyvee)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/39 "2010-06-15T23:59:08Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > Here is an iPad app that may be of interest: > > [PrintCentral](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/printcentral-for-ipad/id366020849?mt=8) Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/40 "2010-06-16T00:49:39Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Why print anyway? I can wipe splashed puttanesca sauce off my iPAD screen with a paper towel. Try that with a printout. > Peace Great! Have you tried the new Bathroom scale app for iPAD. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383.md?page=3)