WiFi Direct: Should I care?

[Eug]

I'm looking at two models of Epson printers. One has WiFi Direct, but the other doesn't.

Should I care? Does anyone actually use WiFi Direct with their phones and tablets for printing? Note that both printers support AirPrint, so I won't need WiFi Direct for my iPhones and iPad, but would it help me for printing from my Nexus 7?

I don't actually have a desire very often to print from the Nexus 7, but I'm thinking maybe it could be of benefit in the future. That is, if it actually works. I've never actually tried it. I've tried those 3rd party apps for various printers in the past, and they all sucked.

The printers in question are the Epson WF-3520 and the WF-3540. Price difference is only about $20 or perhaps even just $10, depending on the retailers. The more expensive one is the 3540, and it includes WiFi Direct and an extra paper tray. Otherwise they're pretty much identical.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I will admit, I like printing from the Nexus 7. It is very clean, makes old way of apps seem like a hack.

 

[Eug]

I will admit, I like printing from the Nexus 7. It is very clean, makes old way of apps seem like a hack.

How are you doing it though? That was my question.

Will having WiFi Direct in the printer make any difference?

Note that I don't use my gmail account much, and my Nexus 7 just gives me options for Cloud Print and HP Print Service. I have Epson iPrint installed but that doesn't seem to be a background service.

 

[yh125d]

I just got a $50 HP MFC that does have wifi direct, but it also has HP eprint, so I can print from that app or just email an attachment to an address I chose for it. Maybe the epson have something similar?


Edit: yeah looks like it has Epson connect, and you can use the epson iprint app to do it as well. They also have the email an attachment to it to print

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/epson-connect/mobile-printing/iprint-app.do

 

[Eug]

Well, what I want to be able to do for example is just print directly a web page from Chrome.

 

[Tsaar]

I use Google Cloud Print and love it. I have an Epson also.

It will print from Chrome.

 

[Eug]

Got the printer. Epson WF-3540.

AirPrint in iOS is absolutely seamless.

However, Google Cloud Print is pretty good too. I now have a virtual printer plug-in set up in OS X, so that I have the option from sending a print job directly to Google Cloud Print from any application's print dialogue box. No need to manually create a file first or manually submit to Google Cloud Print. The plug-in packages it all up for you, and then just asks you to either "Submit Job to Printer" or "Cancel".

Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=FuPQGD5z9IE#t=73

BTW, why are my Nexus 7 tablets listed as printers under Google Cloud Print?

P.S. I suspect I will never use WiFi Direct.

 

[tamm]

Wifi direct printing, wifi app based printing are pretty much similar. The only plus point of wifi-direct is probably if you don`t have a valid wifi router the wifi-direct protocol will allow you still to print thru the mobile device.

 

[Eug]

^^^ In the several weeks of usage I have never had any need for WiFi Direct printing with this printer. It seems like a completely pointless feature for most residential setups.

 

[Roland00Address]

^^^ In the several weeks of usage I have never had any need for WiFi Direct printing with this printer. It seems like a completely pointless feature for most residential setups.

You want a friend to print something but do not want to give them access to your WiFi password. This is more of a business problem but it may happen with residential.

 

[tamm]

^when I say valid wifi router I mean working wifi connection. But that case is good as well. Keeping your network secure is always top priority.