Wireless Printers Coming

The “point and shoot” world of mobile computing is extending to printers, with next week’s introduction of the industry’s first wireless printers by HewlettPackard Co.

Two printers, with expected street prices of $900 to $1,100, use infrared technology to take orders from mobile computers. That’s a variation on the same infrared technology that enables remote controls to change TV stations.

The 5P and 5MP printers are expected to be used mostly in small offices. As such, they will be outfitted with modems, in addition to the infrared eyes, so that they will work with traditional desktop PCs, too.