Google launches cloud printing for iOS devices

Google announced that it is rolling out Cloud Print support for mobile document and mobile Gmail users. Announced in April 2010, Cloud Print lets you print from any device, OS or browser without having to install custom software or proprietary drivers. The idea is simple. You open a Google document on your iOS device, select print, and the document is sent to your printer over the internet. The feature is compatible with devices running iOS 3.0 or higher.

While this new service shows promise, there is one catch for Mac users. To set up the Cloud Print system, you need to connect your printer to Google Cloud Print. Currently, this configuration step can only be done on a Windows PC. Google confirmed that it is working on a solution for Mac and Linux users and promised that it would be available soon.

Apple is also working on AirPrint, a similar wireless printing service that will let you print a document from your iOS device. AirPrint is slightly limited as it requires the iOS device and the printer to be connected to the same wireless network. There are also third-party solutions like Printopia and Print Sharing that enable wireless printing for iOS and Mac users.

[Via MacRumors]