Everyone is talking about cloud computing and Google took everything one step further by sharing the open source code for Google Chrome OS.
 

What does this mean for printing? Cloud computing, the trend towards more versatile end devices and increasing mobility, presents completely new challenges to printing. Whereas applications have previously been run on a complete operating system, they will increasingly be offered solely as Web applications in the future. If an end device is used that has no or only a limited printing system, then printing has to be done without. Until now.
 
With our cloud printing solution, we are following the mandate to relocate the complete printing system in the cloud and to use the end device as a kind of facilitator for communication between applications and printers. We also ensure that all printers currently supported by Microsoft Windows can be used.

“Naturally, we don’t have all the details on the Google Chrome OS yet, but we are certain that we will provide the best Google Chrome OS print solution based on our patented technology,” said Carsten Mickeleit, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ThinPrint AG.

For an idea of how ThinPrint uses cloud printing devices without their own printing system to print, watch this YouTube video from Cortado, a division of ThinPrint, using an iPhone for demonstration. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_u_UVJyfFM
 

The release of the ThinPrint Cloud Printing Services for Google Chrome OS is expected for the fourth quarter of 2010.