HP has announced that its portfolio of web-connected and cloud-aware printers for home and business are the first to support Google Cloud Print out-of-the-box. Google Cloud Print users can print directly to any HP ePrint-enabled printer from any Google Cloud Print supported app on any computer or smartphone.

To get started, users simply need to add the unique email address of their HP ePrint-enabled Photosmart, Officejet, or LaserJet Pro to their Google account. The combination of Google Cloud Print and HP ePrint printers makes printing from any web, mobile, or desktop app that supports Google Cloud Print more intuitive, accessible, and useful by eliminating the need for a print driver or PC connection to the printer. Apps supported by Google Cloud print currently include Gmail for Mobile, Google Docs for Mobile, and Chrome OS, but this list will soon expand to include third-party apps.

While cloud printing is possible with any printer that is connected to a PC, users get a more streamlined experience by printing directly to a cloud-ready printer. The fact that HP has brought the first-generation of cloud-ready printers to market is good news for Google because HP's competitors will likely follow suit.

"Making it easy for our customers to print where and how they want is a top priority for HP," Stephen Nigro, senior vice president of Imaging and Printing Group at HP, said in a statement. "With HP ePrint and cloud-aware printers, you get the best experience printing via Google Cloud Print."