Skip to main content

The HP Tango smart printer clearly wants you to confuse it for a book

Remember when printers used to look like, well, printers? HP’s latest addition to the world of paper and ink is the Tango — a device designed to look nothing like a conventional printer. At first glance, the HP Tango appears to be perhaps a small fabric layer box, or a very thick book, but within is a small wireless printer boasting some tricks. Starting from $150 for the base unit, and $50 extra for the Tango X model with fabric, the mini-stealth printer might play as more of a centerpiece than something to hide away.

Recommended Videos

Announced as the world’s first smart home printer, the HP Tango is more than just a little printer with a form factor of 14.8 x 8.1 x 3.6 inches and only 6.8 pounds. Starting with more traditional functions, the Tango can wirelessly print a black print resolution of up to 1,200 x 2,000 dpi and a color resolution of up to 4,800 x 1,200 dpi. The printer itself is a thermal inkjet machine and can print at up to 11 pages per minute. Overall, the HP Tango presents decent specifications for its size to those looking to purchase a new inkjet printer.

But, none of the above functions make this printer any smarter than the one you might already own, so what is it hiding? HP says the Tango gains extra smarts for the home thanks to its ability to allow users to print from anywhere, whether that is on the same Wi-Fi network as the device or half-way around the world. The Tango works in conjunction with the HP Smart app to enable printing almost anywhere.

HP Tango Smart Home Printer | HP Tango | HP

HP has also squeezed a few other smart features into the app including instant notifications for when you run out of ink, easy scanning of documents with your smartphone’s camera, and a setup wizard for getting your Tango connected and ready. Users can also opt to have the printer automatically order additional ink when it is low thanks to the company’s Instant Ink service.

Lastly, we all know that a device isn’t truly smart unless we can talk to it, and HP has made sure that we are never lonely by bestowing the printer with voice functionality. Currently compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana, you can inform your virtual assistant that you need a specific type of form printed, and it will automatically communicate with your HP Tango.

Buyers looking to get their hands on the new HP printer can begin ordering now; however, the version that includes the linen cover, the Tango X, will be available next month. Owners can pick from either Indio linen or charcoal linen to start, with corck currant coming later this year. Those purchasing the regular Tango have the ability to add on a linen cover after their purchase for an additional cost.

Michael Archambault
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Michael Archambault is a technology writer and digital marketer located in Long Island, New York. For the past decade…
No, you shouldn’t just buy whatever Brother printer is cheapest
The Brother MFC-J1205W's off-white color looks nice in a home office.

Printers aren't the most exciting tech products in the world. I get it. Most of us don't use them all that often and just need the cheapest one that'll get the job done.

That’s the point a recent tongue-in-cheek article from The Verge made, declaring in a buying guide that “the best printer is still whatever random Brother laser printer that’s on sale.” The subtext: Printers have stagnated, and anyone trying to convince you otherwise is fishing for clicks on Google. But if you’ve ever purchased a car that wasn’t a Toyota Corolla, maybe you’d agree that “the best for most people” isn’t always the best for you.

Read more
HP launches a new gaming laptop and HyperX accessories
hp omen 17 2024 launch 4

HP continues to refresh its lineup of premium gaming laptops with the latest Omen 17. Featuring the latest AI-enhanced AMD Ryzen 8000-series mobile chips, it is the first Omen product to come with a dedicated Copilot key for Microsoft's latest AI assistant.

Additionally, the laptop offers AI-enhanced meeting features like enhancing the built-in webcam and microphone for an improved video calling experience. And with Otter.ai, users can transcribe meetings and have access to AI-generated notes.

Read more
Another excellent laptop challenges the MacBook Pro and falls short
The keyboard and trackpad of the MacBook Pro.

The MacBook Pro 16 remains undefeated as the best 16-inch laptop you can buy. From the incredible battery life to the impressive performance, the M3 Max MacBook Pro has become an unstoppable force.

Still, plenty of competitors have come along to potentially challenge it, and when I came across the updated HP Spectre x360 16, I wondered if it might make a worthy rival. As impressive as it is, though, it still doesn't have what it takes to dethrone the MacBook Pro.
Specs and configurations

Read more