As the Mac version of Microsoft’s Windows SmartScreen is soon to come into effect, Apple has done an about turn in their approach to AirPrint. AirPrint is a Windows application that enables Mac users to easily identify printers and other devices on a network. Apple has enabled Mac OS X to use this application, but as of yet, they have not allowed it to authenticate computers in the vicinity. The issue is that of security, as it is not easy for a third party to know the identity of any computer on a network, let alone the AirPrint servers.
So what has Apple done about this situation? With the release of their new AirPrint Client for iOS, they have solved the issue. What Apple has done is enable iPhone users to enable AirPrint at the same time they enable their AirPrint capability. The application allows Mac and Windows users to login and tell the application which printers and devices are connected to their local network. Once this is done, the application will then authenticate that user for use on the network. This is an outstanding step, as it shows that Apple is willing to take risks to keep their users happy.
Apple has also included a built-in service for finding the IP address of the Mac client. So, if a Mac user doesn’t know his or her own address, the Finder can help here by showing it as « unknown ». This will not affect the other machines connected to the network. What Apple has done here is to add another layer of security. AirPrint on Macs has a lot of added features over AirPrint on PCs, such as being able to connect to printers on your home network with no additional software. This will also increase productivity, as you no longer have to go outside your home to use your printer. It is also a great security feature as it makes sure that only authorized devices can connect to your network.
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