Hewlett-Packard (HP) will today introduce a series of printers specifically designed for handheld devices which include Web access, individual email address and touch screens, according to a New York Times report. The products will reportedly enable new ways to print from Web services like Google Docs, and to print from smartphones and devices such as the iPad. The initiative is led by Vyomesh I. Joshi, head of HP’s printing operations, who has long fought off the idea that people would print less as they did more with handheld devices. The new printers are expected to range in price from US$99 to about US$400. The New York Times article adds that HP plans to offer a few of the printers to consumers this month, before selling them to small businesses in September. It expects to sell more than 15 million of the Web printers by next year.

Dubbed as the world’s largest technology company, HP’s printing division accounts for a fifth of its revenue and a third of its profits. It has recently upped its presence in the mobile market, having announced plans to acquire Palm for US$1.2 billion.