Epson is taking the photo printing game to the next level. Absolutely no computers required. The Epson Stylus Photo RX580 is totally autonomous. It scans, restores, prints and copies without using a computer. This printer cost about $229 and has a 2.5-inch LCD color screen and can print a 4-by-6-inch photo in about 15 seconds. It uses Epson�s Claria line of ink for improved quality and color. The printer color-corrects each shot before printing � a feature that can be turned off by expert users � and even improves skin tone and removes red-eye without a computer.

The RX580 allows you to design greeting cards on the screen and scanner, using built-in templates, and it can print images and text on special CD�s and DVD�s.The printer is due out in October.It scans images at a resolution of 1200 by 2400 dots per inch and copies up to 30 color or black-and-white pages a minute. It can even save images directly onto a memory card. Alas these smart printers have gained their independence.