Apple Quietly Drops iPod touch 2G Support for AirPrint

It has been revealed that Apple has changed its mind about allowing secon-generation iPod touch owners to use AirPrint, the wireless-printing capability Apple introduced via an iOS developer release last month.

9to5mac appropriately points readers' attention to Apple’s original press release that informed the world of its new feature said “AirPrint will work with iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (second generation and later).”

Now it reads “AirPrint will work with iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (third generation and later).”

AirPrint will be included in the free iOS 4.2 software update scheduled for November.

The feature allows iOS devices to automatically find printers on local networks and print text, photos and graphics to them wirelessly, over Wi-Fi, without the need to download and install additional software (drivers).

The Cupertino giant announced at the time that HP’s existing and upcoming ePrint enabled printers will be the first to support printing direct from devices running iOS.

“AirPrint is Apple’s powerful new printing architecture that matches the simplicity of iOS—no set up, no configuration, no printer drivers and no software to download,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.

“iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users can simply tap to print their documents or photos wirelessly to an HP ePrint printer or to a printer shared on a Mac or PC.”

Designed to support a wide range of printers from entry level inkjet printers to office laser printers, AirPrint will also be able to talk to printers shared through a Mac or a PC.

The printers Apple could confirm as iOS 4.2 compatible for the release this month include the HP Photosmart, Officejet, Officejet Pro and LaserJet Pro series ePrint enabled printers.

The September 15 announcement also included a statement from Vyomesh Joshi, HP executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, who said “We’re pleased to work with Apple to bring Apple’s AirPrint to our fall lineup of ePrint printers in time for the holiday shopping season.”

Joshi added: “Making it easy for our customers to print anytime, anywhere, is a key priority for HP. iPad, iPhone and iPod touch customers are going to love how easy it is to print using our new range of ePrint printers, creating high-quality printed pages in an instant.”