HP unveiled the world’s first Web-connected home printer: The HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web. HP is bringing the Web directly to the printer and combining it with HP’s TouchSmart technology to give people quick, easy, touchscreen access to digital content.

Designed for the digital generation and connected households, the HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web features an entirely new Web-based printing platform with HP apps. Similar to other Internet-connected devices, these apps, which are viewable on an extra-large, intuitive-to-use TouchSmart panel, allow people to connect instantly with fun, informative, and personal content. 

In addition to receiving apps preloaded on the printer, people can download new ones as they become available at the HP Apps Studio to suit their interests and needs. With the sweep of a finger, users will be able to browse and view popular Web destinations and simply touch the app of their choice to launch a web page where they can customize and print content on demand in an easy-to-read format.

The new printers also will connect directly to a user’s Snapfish account to view, print and upload photos. People additionally can access projects from the HP Creative Studio. People will be able to create and share their own apps to customize their printers through the HP Apps Studio starting in late 2009.

Industry leaders from the worlds of news, entertainment and information are the first to offer free apps debuting on the HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web. Consumers will be able to print daily, weekly or monthly news from USA TODAY, updated in real time and customized according to their interests, such as sports, news and politics. The HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web has an extra-large 4.33-inch touchscreen. 

The printer prints, faxes, copies, and scans to produce laser-quality text documents and lab-quality photos. With a full range of wired and wireless connectivity options, the printer provides the flexibility to print directly from Wi-Fi-enabled PCs, Bluetooth-enabled devices, the Apple iPhone, and the Apple iPod touch using HP iPrint Photo.

Expected to be available this fall, the HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web will retail in the United States for a target street price of $399.