Xerox woos with mobile printing, Wi-Fi-enabled multifunction device

With Hewlett-Packard still mulling its future strategy, Xerox figures it is a good time to get small and midsize businesses thinking about its non-enterprise options.

The two latest come in the form of a mobile print application, PrintBack, that lets you access your PC- or Macintosh-connected printer with a smart phone; and a multifunction device that is the first Xerox desktop multifunction printer (MFP) that comes with Wi-Fi support.

PrintBack works with a Google Android or any device that runs the Apple iOS software (so, an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch). You can send the document to be printed from the handheld to the printer via a public e-mail service such as G-mail, Hotmail or via a service such as Dropbox. The application can handle documents, photos or Web pages. You can actually schedule it to run later when you release it at a printer, securely. (Here is the list of compatible Xerox printers.)

Xerox has also introduced its first MFP that is Wi-Fi-enabled. (Um, what took so long?) The WorkCentre 6015 offers the same basic functionality as the Xerox Phaser 6010, handling up to 12 color pages per minute and 15 pages for black and white. It supports copy, scan, fax and digital workflow capabilities, and Xerox touts its small footprint: 16.1 inches x 15.3 inches x 13.3 inches. The green side of me is disappointed that the printer doesn't support automatic dual-sided printing (you have to do this manually, if you're trying to print on both sides). The MFP starts at $449.