Japanese designer Mugi Yamamoto has an interesting idea bringing back interest in the tired world of printers-- the Stack, a compact inkjet printer that "eats" its way down a stack of paper.

The concept eliminates the paper tray, the bulkiest element in most printers, and allows for a simplified, compact design the size of an A3 sheet of paper. It is also admittedly attractive, something we never imagined saying in reference to a printer!

Currently available in working prototype form, the Stack consists of a lightweight aluminium structure holding together components cannibalised from from various mobile printers. Rubber wheels regulate paper flow, pulling paper through the machine and allowing it to make its way down the stack.

Printed sheets of paper appears on top of the Stack.

Lexmark continues its shift from hardware- to solutions-centric company as it sells off its inkjet-related technology and assets to long-time partner Funai Electric for around $100 million.

Through the deal Funai acquires over 1500 inkjet patents, Lexmark R&D assets and tools, all outstanding shares, a Philippines manufacturing facility and other inkjet-related technologies, allowing the Japanese CE vendor to make own-branded inkjet hardware and supplies.

The 2 companies have had a 15-year relationship, Continue reading...

Fujitsu launches an addition to the ScanSnap series-- the ScanSnap iX500 scanner with built-in wifi connectivity allowing "PC-less" scanning to Android and iOS mobile devices.

Also compatible with Mac OS and Windows PCs via USB 3.0, the iX500 takes a "scan-to-everywhere" approach with easy scanning to cloud-based storage services such as Evernote, Google Docs, Dropbox, SugarSync and Salesforce.

The scanners appears on Windows PCs as a "ScanSnap Folder," essentially a Windows folder one can open Continue reading...

Stare for long enough into the abyss and the abyss will stare back at you, Nietzsche said. Or, in the case of CES 2013, you will get a look from the maddest things at the show-- such as the Tat'z Nail'z nail inkjet printer.

The name says it all, really. The oddly named device first takes a photo before printing it on your fingernails. The process is surprisingly quick (around 10 seconds) and soon enough you too can have a photo-quality image of your own face on a fingernail or two.

Perhaps thankfully Continue reading...