Will Android change the printing world as we know it? Samsung seems to think that may be a distinct possibility as it released ten new Android-based multi-function printers (MFPs) to the European market. The new Samsung Android-powered printers and multifunction units deliver an intuitive and scalable interface for nearly all types of business environments. The new models were officially unveiled at IFA 2014 in Berlin and Samsung is the first manufacturer to bring printers and MFPs to market run by the Android operating system.
Samsung is focusing on printer solutions that fit seamlessly into both the usability side of offices as well as the IT and solutions side of the equation. As such, the new Android based MFPs use the company’s Smart UX Center which operates without a PC and can be scaled as needed in a very user-friendly UI (user interface).
“As Samsung continues to strive for user-centered innovation, the introduction of the first Android OS-equipped MFPs will enhance Samsung’s smart office experience for business customers and allow for greater multidimensional and advanced printing technologies. Our new printer line combines Samsung’s best in class IT technology and OA device know-how to create more innovative products for the new office automation market.”
– Dr. KiHo Kim, Executive Vice President of Printing Solutions at Samsung Electronics
Android-enabled PC-free Printing
A 10.1″ color touchscreen adorns all of the printers in the Samsung Smart MultiXpress series MFPs, allowing users to both search and print from web browsers, email, maps, images and other content types—all without having to connect to either a PC or server. The Android-powered touchscreen lets you preview actual documents while also providing editing and annotating capabilities.
What is interesting about using Android technology is that, as business consumers become more and more used to working in ways that are increasingly mobile, Samsung is providing new printing solutions that cater to familiar and intuitive user interfaces, fast performance, and increased efficiencies and productivity.
User Friendly and Personalized Interfaces
Since these new Smart MultiXpress MFPs feature Samsung’s Smart UX Center (incidentally, the same touch-based, customizable interface found on the Galaxy line of smartphones and tablets), the haptic touch-feedback technology delivers a tactile user experience with confident text and data input.
The Android OS also gives the Samsung Smart MultiXpress series MFPs near-limitless printing app scalability. You can connect through the Samsung Cloud Print or even use Samsung’s XOA (eXtensible Open Architecture) printing solution platform. The new MFPs have also been upgraded to NFC Pro and, when using the Samsung NFC Pro accessory (sold separately), the new MFPs can interface with smartphones for mobile printing, secure user authentication, or even improved IT administrative functions like “cloning” security settings across multiple MFPs simply by tapping the NFC Pro accessory.
Samsung’s Smart MultiXpress series of MFPs use a dual-core CPU, delivering output speeds up to 1.5 times faster than previous 1GHz single-core CPUs. The benefit is that multiple users can simultaneously print and scan large documents without disruption. Ensuring the basics are also covered, the Samsung Smart MultiXpress MFPs also paid attention to the toner and drum technologies and provide models with up to 40,000 pages on a single toner cartridge and up to 200,000 pages on a drum (K4350 series).
The Samsung Android-powered printers and MFPs include ten new models in four different printer categories:
Samsung X4300 series of A3 Color MFPs
The X4300 series of A3 color MFPs consist of X4300LX, X4250LX, and X4220RX models with an output speed of 30, 25, and 22 pages per minutes (ppm) respectively. X4300 series are equipped with Dual-Scan ADF technology, enabling them to scan up to 100 double-sided images per minute (ipm) for color and up to 120 double-sided ipm for mono. All models are equipped with Samsung’s Rendering Engine for Clean Page (ReCP) technology and Polymerized Toner, proving sharp, vivid, glossy professional color quality. The X4300LX model Samsung Android-powered MFPs have a print capacity of up to 85,000 pages per month, with 23,000 pages for black and white toner and 100,000 pages for drum.
Samsung K4350 series of A3 Monochrome MFPs
The K4350 series of A3 Monochrome MFPs consist of K4350LX, K4300LX, and K4250RX models with an output speed of 35, 30, and 25 ppm respectively. The K4350 series MFPs are equipped with Dual-Scan ADF technology, enabling them to scan up to 100 double-sided ipm for color and up to 120 double-sided ipm for mono. The K4350LX model MFP has a print capacity of up to 85,000 pages per month with 35,000 pages for toner. The drum has an output of 200,000 pages.
Samsung M5370 series of A4 Monochrome MFPs
The M5370 series of A4 Monochrome MFPs consist of M5370LX and M4370LX models with an output speed of 53 and 43 ppm respectively. The M5370 series MFPs are equipped with Dual-Scan ADF technology, enabling them to scan up to 80 double-sided ipm. The M5370 series MFPs can print up to 300,000 pages per month with 30,000 pages for toner. Drum has an output of 100,000 pages.
Samsung M4580 series of A4 Monochrome MFPs
The M4580 series of A4 Monochrome MFPs consist of M4580FX and M4583FX models with an output speed of 45 ppm. M4580FX is sold through the OA channel and M4583FX is sold with the IT channel. The M4580 series Samsung Android-powered MFPs are equipped with Dual-Scan ADF technology, enabling them to scan up to 60 double-sided ipm. The M4580 series MFP can print up to 200,000 pages per month and 40,000 pages for toner. Drum has an output of 100,000 pages.
For more information please visit the Samsung website.