The OEM is looking for developers to create Android Apps for its machines.
One of Samsung’s ProXpress machines
PC World reported on Samsung’s attempts to find developers “to create Android apps for its printers”, with the apps able to be created through its Smart UX SDK (software development kit) to run on the OEM’s MultiXpress and ProXpress MFP ranges.
The devices are controlled using an “integrated Android tablet” with a 10.1-inch screen, and Samsung is said to be hoping that “enterprise in-house developers, ISVs, system integrators and resellers” will take up the challenge to build the apps, with only Korean company Hancom having developed any outside of Samsung itself.
Hancom’s Office app allows users to “view and edit documents directly at the printer”, with the advantage being that “they don’t have to go back to their computer to correct errors on printouts”, while Samsung’s apps that it has created include Mobile Print, which integrates with online cloud services including Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and Box.
The OEM has made the SDK available for download from its developer website, and using it, developers can “access printing, scanning and copying features” alongside “cloud-based applications”, with a programming guide posted on the site by Samsung as well.
PC World’s view is that “it makes sense for Samsung to try to take advantage of its position in the Android ecosystem to sell more professional printers”, but “convincing developers will likely be struggle” as the OEM has “had little luck getting developers to customise apps for its mobile devices”, a market in which Samsung is “far more dominant than in printing”.