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Gadgets Cisco Cius Android Tablet Debuts
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - June 30, 2010 10:42 AM
Print 16 comment(s) - last by OUits.. on Jul 1 at 11:35 AM

Cisco Cius Undocked  (Source: Cisco)

Cisco Cius Docked  (Source: Cisco)
Tablet docks with Cisco phone systems

Cisco has announced a new mobile device that combines a business telephone system with a tablet for video conferencing and video calls. The device is called the Cisco Cius. The Cius weighs 1.15 pounds and allows the benefits of Cisco collaboration applications in a secure mobile platform. The device supports HD video streaming and real-time video along with multi-party conferencing.

The Cius allows the user to email and message as well as browse, produce, and edit video content – users can then share that content locally or with cloud storage solutions. The device runs the Android operating system and is capable of virtual desktop integration.

The device has a front-mounted 720p camera capable of recording in 30fps. The screen is 7-inches and it has SVGA resolution. Dual noise canceling mics ensure sound quality for audio conferencing and the Cius has an accelerometer for orienting the screen based on how the user is holding the device. 

The Cius supports 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi and 3G cellular modems – 4G will be supported later. The device also has Bluetooth and microUSB connectivity. The battery for the device is removable and promises 8-hours of run time per charge.

The Cius is set to ship in Q3 2010 for customer trials with general availability in Q1 2011 at undisclosed pricing.

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Seems cool but...
By Motoman on 6/30/2010 11:37:27 AM , Rating: 3
...call me crazy, but I don't see businesses replacing their current telephone systems to have these.




RE: Seems cool but...
By The0ne on 6/30/2010 12:05:54 PM , Rating: 2
It won't. Just like how video phone failed due to lack of interest from consumers and businesses this is not going to be favorable to Cisco. Some things sound cool but when we do have it they're not anymore for unknown reasons :)


RE: Seems cool but...
By carbon3c on 6/30/2010 12:15:42 PM , Rating: 2
Just like 3D movies and TV. Sounds cool, but I don't think it's gonna last.


RE: Seems cool but...
By amanojaku on 6/30/2010 12:17:43 PM , Rating: 2
This won't get very far because the projected price is somewhere under $1,000. Most businesses are trying to get a phone at $200 or so. This would be for the executives. Price rules everything; if video phones were available at the same cost as regular we'd be buying them, even if the video option wasn't always used. Especially now that people are used to phones with big displays. Hell, sexting alone would sell an affordable video phone.


RE: Seems cool but...
By bhougha10 on 6/30/2010 12:41:59 PM , Rating: 1
I think this is supposed to be a competitor to the iPad, the video phone thing is just and extra.


RE: Seems cool but...
By MGSsancho on 6/30/2010 6:05:04 PM , Rating: 2
Cisco does not make consumer equipment, at least under the Cisco brand. Only consumer brand they have is Linksys. In addition, Cisco knows how to sell expensive toys to executives. If they can sell a $750 voip cordless phone with a $35/year license, then I am positive they can sell a $1k tablet.


RE: Seems cool but...
By yourITdept on 6/30/2010 1:28:15 PM , Rating: 2
Really? Do you not understand the idea of upgrading?
Every business eventually will need to upgrade their phone system. VOIP is starting to become the standard in phone systems. All Cisco is doing is expanding on the VOIP idea by integrating a tablet into the phone.
Cisco also bought Tandberg which is a company that produces video conferencing units for businesses. If they integrate the ability to connect to these units it will be a huge advantage to a lot of businesses that have these VC units. I work at a company with 24 sites and 12 Tandberg video conference units. Having a few of these at our remote sites would greatly cut down on the cost of buying the more expensive tandberg units which are up near $10,000 each.
Cisco mainly markets their products to bigger businesses, because those are the people that will need this technology.
Think outside the box for a change.


RE: Seems cool but...
By sviola on 6/30/2010 1:59:00 PM , Rating: 2
I agree with you. This is something very nice to have in your workplace.

In the past couple of years I've been working in globally distributed teams (Brazil, US, UK, India, EU, Japan) and I can see this being put into good work. If it used just to replace one abroad business travel it will have paid for itself.


RE: Seems cool but...
By JediJeb on 6/30/2010 2:00:37 PM , Rating: 2
If we had a stable internet where we are we would probably try VOIP also, but we have enough trouble just keeping the internet going. It may be good in large cities, but a long way off for those of us who have facilities in the towns of 20k population or so. It has really been bad since AT&T took over BellSouth around here.


RE: Seems cool but...
By alanore on 6/30/2010 3:47:16 PM , Rating: 3
Yeah I think these will be integrated with WebEx and Telepresence, most probably to replace their current Unified IP Phone 7985.

Also these have the potential to have a lot more functionality than the current line up. Which already can be integrated with building controls, (lighting, cooling, heating, blinds and projectors)


RE: Seems cool but...
By Motoman on 7/1/2010 12:02:52 AM , Rating: 3
Outside the box? Dude, practically everybody has VOIP phones these days as far as I can tell.

What I'm getting at is why would they upgrade *again* to get these things? "Integrating a tablet into the phone" isn't necessarily a concept that makes sense. Especially considering that a $20 webcam will let you video chat when you're at your desk already...and that probably all of your employees have laptops already. And/or capable smartphones.

I will be extremely surprised if this sells well at all.


RE: Seems cool but...
By OUits on 7/1/2010 11:35:54 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Every business eventually will need to upgrade their phone system. VOIP is starting to become the standard in phone systems.


Haha... maybe in 10 years, but I dare you to complain to any executive at a cash strapped business that we "need to upgrade to VOIP!" when they probably spent a million dollars on an enterprise PBX 15 years ago expecting it to last 30.

Where I work they wont even give us a new uninterruptable power supply, much less a VoIP phone migration.


Cisco jumped the shark
By Lord 666 on 6/30/2010 11:41:45 AM , Rating: 2
Both their product naming and ideas have really lost it. Maybe if they stopped charging ridiculious amounts of money, then they will increase business. If they innovated instead of following they will create new business.

I'll put my finger on right around Padme Warrior was hired, Cisco really lost focus. Last year at Networkers there were so many Cisco employee lemmings that whipped out their Flip to record her key note. Seriously, I have never seen a Flip used outside of a Cisco event.

The irony is Warrior used to be the Motorola CTO. The one market Cisco should get into is the smartphone arena and I was hoping they would buy Palm.




What are they selling here?
By nafhan on 6/30/2010 1:10:12 PM , Rating: 2
It looks like they are trying to sell an Android tablet to business by marketing it as a desktop video phone.




By PAPutzback on 6/30/2010 4:38:30 PM , Rating: 2
There shouldn't be a phone on a desk anymore these days. IF privacy is a concern then provide a single sided headset or bluetooth earpiece. They would be far cheaper than this setup.




Ok so..
By xler8r on 6/30/10, Rating: 0
"If you can find a PS3 anywhere in North America that's been on shelves for more than five minutes, I'll give you 1,200 bucks for it." -- SCEA President Jack Tretton









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