When the printer calls the service, it supplies a status message regarding paper and ink. After the call, the website updates.

I believe it only reports whether or not paper is present (or if a jam condition exists), not how much paper is loaded. It does give an estimate of how much is left in the ink cartridge.

The concept is that the person operating the service is somewhat computer sophisticated and the user of the printer is a complete novice with respect to computer issues. As such, they just check the printer to see if anything has come in and not much else--i.e., they need to be told to put paper in it and to change the ink cartridge. If they cannot accomplish the latter two tasks, then there will be issues.

My 81 YO mother has embraced the printer and how it operates. She took umbrage to my comment that she would probably need to be shown how to install the print cartridge and load paper. She has now mastered those actions on her own and really enjoys the printer since all of her children, nieces, nephews and grandkids have and use email regularly!