Canon, HP, Samsung and Xerox join forces to form the Mopria Alliance.
The newly formed Mopria Alliance, described as a global non-profit organisation, aims to address customer and industry need for “simple, standardised, brand-agnostic mobile printing” as well as “promote, simplify and increase accessibility” of wireless printing from smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.
The Alliance will bring together the mobile, software and print industries with the aim of aligning to standards that make printing universally compatible from any mobile device to any printer anywhere; and will focus on breaking down barriers between brands by eliminating the need for users to download multiple print drivers, as well as creating a better, more accessible user experience for mobile printing.
It is the intention of the OEMs to introduce the Mopria brand and use it as a vehicle to educate consumers and businesses on the ease-of-use of mobile printing; and to influence the development and adoption of standards for mobile printing. Furthermore, Mopria will provide software developers with an open environment and tools to incorporate print into mobile applications.
Standardising mobile printing in turn will enable mobile app developers, along with other industry players, to focus resources on innovation and new features beyond simply maintaining basic print functions.