In another cross-products tie-in, the TouchPad features wireless printing to HP printers.
So far researchers at Columbia University have only managed to exploit the hole on HP printers, but it's possible (if not likely) that others are also affected.
ENGADGET: Researchers expose printer vulnerability, turn LaserJets into literal time bombs (update)
Xerox isn't the only player selling supplies for HP laser printers, but it has better name recognition than Lexmark or Laser Quest Services.
In September it introduced Xerox-branded toner cartridges for HP laser printers.
In an interview with MSNBC, the researchers stated that they found a security vulnerability in the embedded systems of HP Laserjet printers that would allow new commands to be issued to the printer by posing as a firmware update.
FORBES: Hackers May Be Able To Access Networked Printers - And Set Them On Fire
Cameras, like the array of printers HP sells, are for the most part a means to an end: driving the consumption of more high-margin printing supplies such as ink cartridges.
Further, HP would like lose retail shelf space around the world for other products, such as printers, if HP were to spin off the PC division.
FORBES: HP: BMO Downgrades; Earnings Thursday; Sees No PC Spin
Earlier this week, HP got a little boost from a Merrill Lynch (nyse: MER - news - people ) analyst who in a report said that HP's latest monochrome laser printers were priced less than Lexmark's, a fact that it says will help HP maintain its dominant market share in that segment.
Hackborn led the charge into laser printers, where HP had no experience and was competing with Japanese consumer companies such as Canon.
As laser printers push inkjet printers out, HP (the inkjet supplies market leader) will likely see a decline in its ink cartridge per printer sales until the shift away from inkjet stabilizes.
FORBES: Hewlett-Packard Heads To $55 Packing Meanest Punch In Printers
Last fall Xerox also introduced faster laser printers to compete with HP's.
But when we wrote about Encad last year (Aug. 11, 1997), the company's superfast color printers were finally beating HP models in the graphic arts market, which Encad pioneered.
PCs and printers are separate parts of HP, but are closely coupled business at the retail level.
Some 50% of Gateway's profits now come from non-PC businesses, such as digital cameras and Internet service. hp now sells more bundled packages that include printers and modems.
But with its mix of consumer-friendly PCs, printers and big business servers, HP is a better leading indicator than IBM, which has a thriving hardware and services business but is less diversified.
With many of its products already running Linux, including servers, printers, networking equipment and more, HP understands that computing is changing rapidly and is prioritizing Linux and collaborative development to advance its development for the future.
ENGADGET: HP becomes a platinum member of the Linux Foundation
In the 1980s HP nearly put Encad out of the business of selling printers to engineers.
With more and more types of documents getting digitized and smartphones replacing former functions of printers (think coupons and tickets), HP needs new ways to drive printer usage.
Lexmark's first problem, Mann recalls, was that most printers were sold through resellers and due to HP's dominance, most resellers weren't too interested in taking a flier on Lexmark.
By focusing on the cloud, HP is linking disparate technologies, from personal computers and printers to servers, and from mobile phones to computer-networking equipment, according to The Associated Press.
FORBES: Morning Tech Wrap: Hewlett-Packard, Texas Instruments, Microsoft
Despite Moto's announcement that the company is working with Kodak on printing solutions, they still showed off RAZR decals using an HP printer (there were a couple of Kodak EasyShare printers elsewhere in the booth).
Under Fiorina HP rested on three pillars known as the product divisions (printers, PCs, servers).
Aware that some 23% of HP's operating profits come from selling cartridges for its printers, Xerox is trying to bite a chunk off the business.
As part of a growing trend to produce energy-efficient products, HP announced today a bunch of changes in its line of printers, including a color laser jet printer that it says uses up to 65% less energy than other similar printers.
FORBES: HP Takes A Green Step With Energy Efficient Printers
The HP Printer Install Wizard will be available for a majority of consumer printers and will help customers select and install their print drivers.
ENGADGET: HP fills in pricing and availability details for its sprawling Windows 8 line-up
Milunovich thinks HP is in denial about the growth prospects for both PCs and printers, but he nonetheless asserts that the company really does have substantial assets.
Two printers go out every second somewhere in the 179 countries where HP's 150, 000 employees do business.
But longer term, competing against Apple ( AAPL), IBM ( IBM), Dell ( DELL) and others, HP will need innovation to succeed, not just cheaper overhead in selling printers and toner.
应用推荐