HP's print-anywhere CloudPrint service almost defies explanation. Almost. Try to follow, because it's perhaps the strangest way to print documents that I've ever come across: Using your cell phone, you can print a document to any Internet-connected computer you come across, without using email. Here's how it works.

First, you install the CloudPrint printer driver on the PC you're working on (say, your home PC). When finished, you print the document from that PC, using CloudPrint as your printer: The document is then "printed" to the Internet instead of to paper. During the printing process, you input the telephone number of your mobile phone (or anyone else you'd like to be able to print the document). A text message is dispatched to that phone with a code attached.

Now, go to any computer with a printer attached and log on to the CloudPrint website. Punch in your phone number and the code, and the previously printed document shows up as a PDF. Print away.

Got it? It's complicated, but if you give it a spin it'll make sense the first time around. Figuring out exactly how'll you use it is a little trickier, but a few key uses come to mind when you think about it. One key is that, with CloudPrint, you don't have to use email at all. Normally, most people would print a document on another computer by just mailing an attachment to themselves or another person, then logging in to a webmail account and printing from there. But what if you need to print from an odd program (say, your Lotus Notes email system) that isn't likely to be installed on another computer? Or what if you are worried about the security of that PC and don't want to type in your email login information on it? CloudPrint offers a handy way around both of these problems. And you can send the document to multiple people simultaneously.

Another nifty idea: Printing boarding passes. You can check in for a flight 24 hours before it departs, but if you're on a trip, you probably didn't bring a printer with you. With CloudPrint, you can log in and print the pass whenever you want (say, late at night, in your hotel room), then later drop by a print shop or the hotel's business center whenever it's convenient to finish the print job. This way you get to pick your seat as early as possible (and avoid those dreaded middle seats), and can pick up the boarding pass whenever you want it.

Can't find a print shop? HP has a printer locator, too. (Alas, CloudPrint is brand new, and the locator service is just getting started... the three printers found "near me" are 30 miles away, two at HP itself!)

I'm sure others will find more interesting uses for this (free) service. Give it a spin, and leave a comment with your ideas on how you might put such remote printing to use.

LINK: CloudPrint (via SF Chronicle)