Canon Releases iP100 Mobile Photo Printer 14 April 2008 - Canon today announced the iP100, a new portable printer that they claim is the first mobile printer to have a one picoliter droplet size. The iP100 uses two black ink tanks: a pigment-based black ink for text and another for photos. Canon affirms that the iP100 will be a faster printer than previous models, produce high quality text and photographs and increases color resolution to a maximum of 9600 x 2400 dpi, depending on the printer settings. The printer also comes with several mobilizing accessories, some at a hefty price. The Canon iP100 is available now for $249.99.   For photographs, Canon decided to add a new feature previously unknown to portable compact photo printers: Auto Image Fix. This feature analyzes and categories photographs by type, whether it be a portrait, a snapshot or a scenic shot. It then attempts to optimize the print accordingly, Canon claims. The iP100 allows users to print photographs and documents wirelessly through its built-in IrDA port, however it requires users to have mobile phones with an IrDA IR port and support for IrMC. In addition, the phone cannot be positioned more than 7.9 inches from the printer, making its wireless capability somewhat complicated. The iP100 is also capable of Bluetooth when you purchase the optional Bluetooth Unit for $49.99, but with this users can print from Bluetooth enabled computers and cell phones. However distance restrictions using Bluetooth is approximately ten meters depending on signal obstructions or interference such as microwave ovens. Canon is planning on offering an optional Lithium Ion battery for the Canon iP100, claiming the battery to have an approximately 290 page lasting life for every three hours charged. The estimated price for this is $99.99. Geared at users on the go in their cars, Canon is also offering an optional Automobile Power Unit (PU-200U) for $89.99. This will allow users to power the printer in their vehicles, much like cell phones. The Canon iP100 is available now for $249.99.