“Bits n Bytes”
We all probably carry around hundreds of photos with us on our smart phones, but sometimes, just sometimes, wouldn’t it be nice to print a photo out to may be give to someone as a memento?
Well now you can,, and you don’t need to carry around a desk sized inkjet printer!
Introducing The Sprocket, HP’s answer to portable instant printers that print photos from your phone. These have existed for a while, but The Sprocket is easy and fun to use and give very acceptable results.
Let’s start with the basics. The Sprocket is rechargeable through a Micro USB, connects to your phone through Bluetooth, and requires Zink / HP photo paper to work. That means you don’t need ink because Zink’s proprietary printing technology puts crystals on every sheet that show up as specific colors when they’re heated up. The technology is kind of amazing.
The Sprocket costs $129.99 state side, and includes 10 sheets of printer paper. A replacement pack of 20 costs only $10.
Let’s get to the app because that’s the best part. It can pull photos from your camera roll, Instagram, Flickr, or Facebook account, and because it also has access to your camera, you can take a photo of whatever you want to print. But everything good happens in the editing mode.
When editing a photo, you can insert text boxes, change the font, change the colors of that font, change the text box color, add stickers, and add borders. The best part is probably the font and the borders. It’ll really up the cool factor of your photos, if your idea of cool is the same as mine, which it probably isn’t.
Be aware though that The Sprocket is no replacement for a full size inkjet printer. But it IS a great fun accessory that you can carry round with you!
Whilst not available in Thailand right now, if you do want to treat yourself to a new toy they can be bought online and shipped to you in Thailand.
It’s definitely something you can live without, but then again you CAN live without Pizza. Or beer. Or chocolate! But sometimes you simply have to treat yourself!
Basic specs:
Print size: 2” x 3”
Resolution: 313 x 400 dpi
Size: 4.53” x 2.95” x 0.87”
