Bixolon’s SLP-TX220 Compact Desktop Label Printers
Bixolon’s latest label printer addition, the SLP-TX220 2″ thermal transfer desktop printer with optional Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, is perfect for a range of applications from wrist banding, order labelling to barcode printing.
The SLP-TX220 is the world’s first 2″ thermal transfer desktop printer with built-in Bluetooth with MFi iAP2 certification. Teamed with a smart Bluetooth Auto Switch allowing easy switching from iOS settings to standard Bluetooth mode.
Printing at speeds up to 6ips and high resolution 203 dpi print quality. The SLP-TX220 provides fast data processing speeds for various types of labels. Designed with Autocutter and Peeler options, the SLP-TX220 features a space saving 74mm ribbon and easy paper loading, alongside an adjustable paper guide.
Brother’s RuggedJet Series Now Apple Certified
Brother has announced that its RuggedJet 4 Wi-Fi handheld receipt and label printers now support Apple AirPrint wireless technology. AirPrint from Apple allows users to wirelessly print from iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch devices directly to RuggedJet 4 printers with ease.
Built-in AirPrint compatibility allows instant printing from iOS devices without the need to download or install drivers or interfaces and simplifies the RuggedJet user experience, making the thermal printer even easier to use. Moreover, all existing RuggedJet 4 Wi-Fi printers are backward compatible with AirPrint via a simple, free firmware update available from Brother.
With AirPrint support built in, an organization’s application developers benefit in that they do not have to spend time programming the printers or dealing with installation and set-up. Businesses and government agencies benefit as well by gaining device flexibility and the agility to future-proof their technology investments.
With the RuggedJet 4 certification complete the RuggedJet 2 will be the next MFi certified printer in October 2016 followed by the RuggedJet 3 in December.
Add Style and Speed with Citizen’s New CT-S251 Ultrafast POS printer
Citizen’s new CT-S251 POS printer combines style with efficiency, providing flawless 2-inch wide prints at ultra-fast speed, from a compact model. Designed specially for high-end retail and hospitality businesses, with aesthetics and ease of use front of mind, the CT-S251 helps to ensure a seamless sales transaction and smooth customer experience.
Receipts, coupons, daily reports and more can be produced fast and error-free with the CT-S251, which prints at a phenomenal speed of up to 300mm per second, helping to reduce waiting times and queues. Business managers can also benefit from additional flexibility when choosing where to position points of sale (POS) or mobile points of sale (mPOS), thanks to the CT-S251’s extensive connectivity options. This includes the choice to connect via USB, Serial and Ethernet outputs as well as wireless ‘Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad (MFi) Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The printer also ensures easy integration with POS systems and is fully compatible with iOS, Android and Windows mobile devices.
Bixolon’s SPP-R310 Compact and Ergonomic 3″ Mobile Printer
Bixolon has recently launched their new SPP-R310 super compact, ergonomic three-inch receipt, ticket and label printer with Bluetooth, WiFi, USB and Serial connectivity options.
Supporting Easy Bluetooth Pairing via embedded NFC tag enabling auto pairing with Android, iOS & Windows devices, alongside additional Apple MFi iAP2 certification. Featuring an Auto-Switch function which provides simple automatic switching between iOS mode and standard Bluetooth modes.
Ideal for all retailers from micro merchants to global brands, field service, logistics and more, the SPP-R310 is designed for multi-purpose 80mm receipt, ticket, label and linerless label printing. Producing 203dpi high resolution fonts, graphics, and logos on a 72mm wide media at speeds up to 100mm/sec receipting (80mm/sec linerless).
Zebra’s New ZQ500 Series Rugged Mobile Printers for Field-Based Applications
Zebra has announced the launch of their new ZQ500 mobile printer series designed for rugged field-based applications.
The 3-inch ZQ510 and 4-inch ZQ520 printers are portable, print-on-demand devices that combine a military-grade design with simple functionality for printing solutions that require a robust device capable of going into any outdoor or indoor environment. The new ZQ500 series is also the perfect replacement for the previous RW Series and is targeted for transportation & logistics, distribution, field service, and government applications.
TSC’s Alpha-3R, Alpha-4L Mobile Printers Now MFi Certified
TSC has received Apple license approval of its Alpha-3R and Alpha-4L handheld mobile printers, certifying them as an MFi hardware accessories. The licensing enables TSC to advertise the Alpha-3R and Alpha-4L as Apple-approved MFi devices and display MFi-related logos on their product packaging.
Operating in Bluetooth mode, the Alpha-3R can print receipts, tickets, proof of delivery, invoices and other documentation direct from iPhone and iPad Apple devices. The Alpha-4L can print direct from iPhone, iPad and iPod devices. The result: increased transaction efficiency and improved worker productivity.
New Labels for the Star SM-T400i Portable Printer
Star has announced new direct thermal labels certified to work with the SM-T400i portable Bluetooth printer. As the widest format portable Bluetooth printer in Star’s “i” Series, the SM-T400i is a rugged four inch (112mm) portable Bluetooth printer with a wide 104mm printable area, ideal for data-filled service reports, delivery notes or law enforcement citations. The SM-T400i includes both transmissive and reflective sensors, enabling label printing.
The new printing options will help quickly and easily print labels ideal for government, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and shipping and receiving industry applications. With three thermal label sizes available in various heights, the SM-T400i can accommodate most labeling applications with the ability to print from virtually any device.
Zebra’s New ZQ110 Mobile Printer
Zebra has announced the release of their newest addition to their mobile receipt printer offering with the ZQ110. The ZQ110 mobile printer is designed for the price-conscious buyer who is always on the move. It weighs in at only .5lbs and is almost as small as a deck of playing cards.
The ZQ110 prints 2″ receipts at speeds up to 3.5 inches-per-second and is designed with “sleep mode” to conserve battery power. “Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad” (MFi) certified, the ZQ110 also supports Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity to a range of Apple, Android and Windows devices. With the additional option for an embedded Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR), the ZQ110 is the perfect solution for any mobile receipt printing application.
Star Announces SMD2 Cash Drawers for Canada
Fueled by growing demand for mPOS solutions in Canada, Star is pleased to announce a new compact cash drawer configuration, as well as standard and full sized SMD2 cash drawers specifically designed to house Canadian currency.
Star’s SMD2 cash drawers provide retailers and hospitality providers a secure way to manage cash for mPOS. A smarter alternative to traditional cash boxes, cash registers and cash tills, Star’s SMD2 cash drawer is equipped with the ability to communicate via standard printer driven interface with included cable or Star’s DK-AirCash wireless communication option for Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.1 with Android and Windows support or Apple MFi certified Bluetooth with iOS support. Available in two convenient sizes with black or white color options, Star’s SMD2 cash drawers for Canada offer a stylish and reliable cash management option to complete any POS or mPOS system.
Finding the Right Barcode Scanner – What Makes Them Different?
Selecting a barcode scanner may seem like a simple enough task at first glance but given the range of barcodes and how they are used today, it can quickly become a challenge to find the right one. Most scanners today are more than capable of reading well printed barcodes on a typical paper label. That said, uses for barcodes have expanded well beyond basic labels and many specialized scanners are available to meet the needs of specific applications. In the following we’ll cover some key features to consider when trying to select the best fit scanner for your needs.
1D or 2D – Printed or Electronic
Probably the most crucial first step in selecting a scanner is determining what kind of barcodes you will be reading. The traditional picket fence style 1D barcodes are still the most commonly used and are often printed on a label but you will find the use of 2D matrix style codes much more common today. Likewise, you may not just be reading barcodes on a printed label as more applications are embracing scanning off of smartphone screens or from codes directly etched/molded into a product. In the case of simple 1D barcodes on a label, your standard laser of linear imager will readily meet your needs. For 2D barcodes or applications reading from not printed surfaces, a full 2D imager will be needed to properly scan the code. 2D imagers are more costly but their main advantage is that they can essentially omnidirectionally read any barcode from almost any surface.
