HP adds NFC-based smartphone authentication

The security feature makes use of near-field communication, or NFC, a radio technology with a short range. If a user taps a printer with an NFC-enabled smartphone, the devices will communicate and the printer will verify the identity of the users. The “touch-to-authenticate” feature works with NFC-enabled Android smartphones and tablets. The solution works with two new laser printers, the HP Color Laser Jet Enterprise MFP (multi-function printer) M651 series and the HP Color Laser Jet Enterprise M680 series.

The MFC devices can support around 10 to 30 users in a workgroup. The printers can handle up to 45 pages per minute, 4,100 sheets and the ink toner cartridges can last longer as well.