iDevices, printers, and the web

So I want to be more productive and mobile and less dependent on the electronics of others. I have iPhone and iPad. Contemplating a Rand McNally wifi-enabled GPS. I also want to purchase a printer/scanner I can use from those devices. I noted I can do that with Epson printers and an app called iConnect. So here's the riddle. I need a wireless network to connect printer to IPad or iPhone so I can print permits and also to scan receipts so I can email to company. Best solution? I thought airport express to create the wireless LAN but stuck on not knowing if I need a hotspot or ??

 

I like brother printers better than Epson. Cheaper ink, more functions. There is a brother print app in the app store. Get a wifi enabled printer and any modern wireless router. Does not have to be connected to the Internet. Make sure device and printer are connected to your new wireless network to print.

 

Thanks Rooster. So a 2-step op then? Use my 4g to download to iPad, switch to wi-fi to print permits, etc? Same process in reverse to scan/send?

Charlie

 

That's pretty much it.

 

If you get the right printer you can print straight to printer from iPhone, no router,or network required(technically the printer make its own network). My son uses a HP eStation C510 for this. Its an all-in-one printer. It also has a small detachable tablet.

hope this helps

 

A bazillion years ago I had a Pentium mounted in my sleeper. Played "pc" games in my truck instead of dropping quarters in machines inside the truck stop. I'm proud to see how far it's come.

 

Thanks Johnny. Yeah, I checked in to that. The printer itself must have the capability to create an ad hoc network. But it won't allow scan.

 

A remark about the Apple gear. Airport Express will create a wifi network that could be used as you intend. However, it depends on an uplink to some internet source to function as a router. IMO more trouble than it's worth.

Given your list of hardware, activate the wifi hotspot feature on your iPhone. It will create the wireless LAN you want and supply an internet uplink for all the connected devices.

 

If I bought a laptop I could just direct connect to the printer then, or will printer communicate with laptop via Bluetooth?


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I have all Apple equipment.
I use an iPhone5 and a Epson scanner/Printer with WIFI and a Macbook Pro.

What I do is turn on the iPhone 'hotspot' and have the Epson/Macbook connect up to it.
This works perfectly. I have a local wireless network and thanks to the iPhone, I have internet.

Any other device could be added down the road but the Epson works well and the cost (Wal Mart $59) was more than fair.
It does use 4 ink cartridges but will still print black even if any/all of the color ones are empty.
My old HP wont print if there is anything amiss with the color. Keep that in mind as you seek out a printer.

The Epson will also scan/print (COPY) without any network, in case you need a quick copy of a BOL/Manifest.