On some of its printers, HP suggests that only Wi-Fi connectivity allows printing… while a perfectly functional USB port exists, hidden behind a simple sticker.
Pay no attention to the USB port installed behind the ” no USB port “. This is how one of the forum members Haunted Computer sums up HP’s (very clumsy) attempt to, probably, push users of some of its printers into the arms of its cloud service.
Why make it easy…
” HP are real crooks », proclaims the owner of one of these printers on Haunted Computer. “(…) This very cheap printer strongly suggests that there is no USB, only Wi-Fi. When I got it I figured out how to print over the network without using the app they are trying to make you download. But it turns out there’s an even easier way to print, just use the USB port they’re trying to hide! he exclaims, and rightly so.
As demonstrated in photo by the same user. HP has stuck on some printers with a good old USB port, a sticker precisely suggesting that there is no USB port, and that we must therefore turn to Wi-Fi instead. For what ? Probably in the hope of pushing the owners of these models to use a more accommodating service… at least for HP.
A fairly unsophisticated “hoax” // © Netspooky via Haunted Computer
… when you can make it complicated
By promoting the network use of its printers, HP probably hopes to encourage more users to download its printing application and sign up for the Cloud service that goes with it. A deceptive, low-cost approach that has not gone unnoticed.
” No company is going to rewrite their firmware to remove the USB stack. It’s even more expensive to redesign the hardware to physically get rid of the USB port. So they opted for the cheapest option, a small sticker », Continues the same disappointed user.
” They’re just trying to store everyone’s documents in their stupid cloud service, which a group of teenage hackers will eventually break into with a view to leaking them one day. Don’t give them your data “.
All is said. If you find yourself in a similar situation… consider taking a look behind the stickers.
Source : Haunted Comuter
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