AlexFromBeth
Level 1 (4 points)
iPad

Q: Desperate - Need to print using only 3G/4G or Bluetooth connection from iPad Air2

We have social workers that visit clients, entering data on their iPads during their visits.  The vast majority of these clients have no internet connectivity of any kind so the iPads use cellular data.  We need to find a way to give these social workers printers to use on these visits that can "connect" to the iPad Air2s via some other methodology than WiFi, etc.  They need to be able to print forms from web sites, etc., maybe emails, 8.5x11.  Is it possible???

 

I found the Brother PocketJet 763MFi that says it was made for iPod, iPhone and iPad and gives the following specifications:

  • Full-speed USB 2.0 and Bluetooth® technology (Ver.2.1+EDR SPP, BIP,OPP, HCRP and iAP/MFI supported) interfaces
  • Works with Windows® Mobile, Android™, and iOS® devices

I have contacted their sales team but haven't heard back as of yet so if anyone has any sort of feedback on this printer, we'd GREATLY appreciate it.

iPad Air, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on May 12, 2016 10:20 AM

by Skydiver119,Apple recommended
Skydiver119 Skydiver119
Level 7 (28,287 points)
iPad
A:

You might look into something like the Mifi, which is a portable wifi hotspot that uses cellular networks.  Use the Mifi to make a hotspot (or whatever device your carrier has, same premise but maybe different name) then connect the printer to that wifi hotspot, and the iPad and you should have a portable battery powered network to allow printing.

Posted on May 12, 2016 10:23 AM

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AlexFromBeth

Q: Desperate - Need to print using only 3G/4G or Bluetooth connection from iPad Air2

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  • by ShagCA,

    ShagCA ShagCA May 12, 2016 11:30 AM in response to AlexFromBeth
    Level 4 (2,214 points)
    iPad
    May 12, 2016 11:30 AM in response to AlexFromBeth

    Here's Brother airprint manual:

    http://download.brother.com/welcome/docp100152/pj773_eng_ap_0.pdf

     

    and here's PocketJet manual (to configure airprint):

    http://download.brother.com/welcome/docp100149/cv_pj773_usaeng_usr_lbe501001.pdf

     

    Connecting Using Wi-Fi®  (PJ-773 only)

     

    1. Press and hold the  (Wi-Fi) button for one second.

    The (Wi-Fi) indicator on your printer starts flashing in blue once every three seconds.

    2. Use your computer or mobile device to select the SSID of your printer

    ("DIRECT-*****_PJ-773"). If required, enter the password ("773*****").

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie May 12, 2016 11:25 AM in response to AaronAppleFan
    Level 9 (54,612 points)
    iPhone
    May 12, 2016 11:25 AM in response to AaronAppleFan

    Have you tested that?

  • by ckuan,

    ckuan ckuan May 12, 2016 11:27 AM in response to AlexFromBeth
    Level 7 (33,874 points)
    May 12, 2016 11:27 AM in response to AlexFromBeth

    1. On your iPad, using your cellular connection to the Internet visit the website you want

    2. Your iPad is connected to this Ad Hoc wireless printer (like a local wireless network).

    3. Use iPad (or the printer app) to print.

     

    Best you go to a printer dealer and test it out.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu May 12, 2016 11:31 AM in response to AlexFromBeth
    Level 6 (16,207 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 12, 2016 11:31 AM in response to AlexFromBeth

    I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong on this but the problem I see with the ad-hoc options is that you would have to switch back and forth between being connected to the web via cellular to access website material and the ad-hoc Wi-Fi generated by the Wi-Fi printer in order to print - this is doable but a pain. FWIW I use various Wi-Fi enabled cameras that generate their own ad-hoc Wi-Fis and when my iPhone or iPad connects to them I am off the other type of connections. Maybe someone has a workaround for this.

  • by ShagCA,

    ShagCA ShagCA May 12, 2016 11:36 AM in response to elcpu
    Level 4 (2,214 points)
    iPad
    May 12, 2016 11:36 AM in response to elcpu

    Cellular and WiFi use different frequencies and hardware. Both can be enabled simultaneously. Think of hotspot feature, both WiFi and cellular are enabled for it to work. I don't see any problem pulling up a web page through cellular and printing the content over WiFi adhoc connection to the printer.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu May 12, 2016 11:38 AM in response to ShagCA
    Level 6 (16,207 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 12, 2016 11:38 AM in response to ShagCA

    ShagCA wrote:

     

    Cellular and WiFi use different frequencies. Both can be enabled simultaneously. Think of hotspot feature, both WiFi and cellular are enabled for it to work.

     

    Yes, both can be enabled simultaneously but if I am on Wi-Fi and try to do a web search, it searches through the Wi-Fi connection which will not work for the OP as that Wi-Fi is the printer (just like my camera). The only way I can search the web through cellular is to disconnect from Wi-Fi - then it reverts to cellular.

  • by ShagCA,

    ShagCA ShagCA May 12, 2016 11:39 AM in response to AlexFromBeth
    Level 4 (2,214 points)
    iPad
    May 12, 2016 11:39 AM in response to AlexFromBeth

    AlexFromBeth wrote:

     

    Thanks!  So the printer sets up its own little WiFi network.  How does it do that with no internet connectivity?  I'm trying to wrap my head around this.  The social worker will be sitting with a client, the printer on a nearby table and the social worker wants to print a form from a web site for the client to fill out.  The social worker is accessing the web via a cellular connection.  How/Where does the ad hoc work in this scenario?

     

    WiFi network can exist without internet connectivity. The social worker accesses a website thru cellular connection and prints the content through WiFi connection to the printer.

  • by ShagCA,

    ShagCA ShagCA May 12, 2016 11:48 AM in response to elcpu
    Level 4 (2,214 points)
    iPad
    May 12, 2016 11:48 AM in response to elcpu

    I see what you're saying. If iOS is smart, it'll find its way to the internet if the WiFi connection fails to find a route out of the network. FYI, I have not tried this myself but I think iOS should be smart enough to find a "working" connection to the web.

     

    If it turns out that internet connection does not work when WiFi (connected to the printer) is on, switch it off. Turn it on when the user is ready to print.

     

    Btw, WiFi assist feature comes to mind: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205296

    not sure if that is going to help or not.

  • by AlexFromBeth,

    AlexFromBeth AlexFromBeth May 13, 2016 7:16 AM in response to ShagCA
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    May 13, 2016 7:16 AM in response to ShagCA

    Thanks for the links!

  • by AlexFromBeth,

    AlexFromBeth AlexFromBeth May 13, 2016 7:20 AM in response to AlexFromBeth
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    May 13, 2016 7:20 AM in response to AlexFromBeth

    Now that we've determined that a printer that uses an "ad hoc" connection is a possibility when using cellular on an iPad Air 2, does anyone know of a larger (than the Brother) printer that prints in color?  And also possibly copies and/or scans?  I've requested a free demo device from Brother so I hope to test it if it arrives but our social workers could really use a more robust printer.

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie May 13, 2016 10:47 AM in response to AlexFromBeth
    Level 9 (54,612 points)
    iPhone
    May 13, 2016 10:47 AM in response to AlexFromBeth

    Do you really expect your people to lug an office all-in-one printer into a persons house, set it up and print and scan?

     

    The only company I know that is selling AirPrint compatible printers that can set up and adhoc network is HP.

  • by AlexFromBeth,

    AlexFromBeth AlexFromBeth May 13, 2016 11:04 AM in response to deggie
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    May 13, 2016 11:04 AM in response to deggie

    We were looking at the Canon Pixma iP110 which prints and scans and has color, not quite an AiO but close.  It is a whopping 4.3 pounds and 12.7x7.3x2.5 inches.  So, if you consider that "lug", then yes.

     

    This is the response I received from HP support "regrettably, we do not have a printer that can receive a print job from an iPad without Internet connection. What we have is a mobile printer that receives print job through Bluetooth. However, it only works with Android and Windows devices."


    I am in the process of seeing if these iPads have Personal Hotpot enabled and, if not, see if the department that uses them is willing to fork over a little more each month to have it.  Probably less than a MiFi.

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie May 13, 2016 11:19 AM in response to AlexFromBeth
    Level 9 (54,612 points)
    iPhone
    May 13, 2016 11:19 AM in response to AlexFromBeth

    HP is incorrect, it does need a WiFi connection but not an Internet connection. If it can create its own adhoc network that suffices as a WiFi network. You should call HP and ask to talk to someone who knows what they are talking about.

     

    The Canon is a nice printer and would work well for you if you were using a Surface or android tablet. You can get nice cases for them too. A Brother or HP All-in-One is going to be twice that weight and size. I would do a test using personal hotspot prior to going that route.

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