Canon launches portable scanner for mobile workers

Canon has unveiled a compact USB-powered scanner designed for mobile professionals to capture and process documents while on the road.

Set to be available from January, the Canon imageFormula P-208 is a slim line device weighing in at just 600g, but still features an automatic feeder enabling up to 10 sheets to be scanned in a single operation.

Its design also incorporates two image sensors that allow it to capture both sides of a document in a single pass, delivering duplex scanning performance of up to 16 images per minute.

For Mac and Windows PC users, the imageFormula P-208 offers a plug-and-scan capability, allowing them to scan over a USB connection without installing any drivers or software thanks to Canon's CaptureOnTouch Lite software which is embedded in the scanner itself.

Users can also scan to an Apple or Android smartphone or tablet via an optional WU10Wi-Fi Unit accessory and Canon's free-to-download CaptureOnTouch Mobile app for the relevant platform.

As well as paper documents, the imageFormula P-208 can scan plastic cards such as ID badges and supports scanning capabilities such as correcting skewed images, automatic page size detection, double feed detection and skipping of blank pages.

The portable device can scan at up to 600dpi and also features an image processing algorithm to optimise the reproduction of photographs, text and colour documents, Canon said.

The imageFormula P-208 will be available in the UK and Ireland through Canon sales offices and distributor partners from January 2013. Pricing has yet to be disclosed.