While most of us are eager to see what new Android phones are right around the corner, Cisco would like to remind us that Android is a whole lot more than simply a cell phone OS. The new Cisco Cius is an “ultra-portable, mobile collaboration business tablet that offers access to essential business applications and technologies.”
The tablet runs on Android and supports full integration of Cisco’s telepresence technology with HD video conferencing support. The Cius features a 7” diagonal, high-resolution, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, 3G/4G data and Bluetooth 3.0, support for virtual desktop client, and also comes with “soundstation” which features Bluetooth and USB peripheral support and a handset option.
Obviously, the Cisco Cius is not the Android tablet many of us have been hoping for since it’s directly targeter at the corporate world. However, it’s exciting to see a big player like Cisco get behind the Android platform and produce such an advanced business tool for the corporate world. Cisco will start rolling out customer trials of the Cuis in late 2010 with commercial availability expected in Q1 of 2011.
Applications capabilities:
- 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, 3G/4G data and Bluetooth 3.0 help employees stay connected on and off-campus
- HD video (720p) with Cisco TelePresence solution interoperability for lifelike video communication with the simplicity of a phone call
- Virtual desktop client enables highly secure access to cloud-based business applications
- Android operating system, with access Android marketplace applications
- Collaboration applications including Cisco Quad, Cisco Show and Share, WebEx, Presence, and IM
Cius tablet highlights:
- 7” diagonal, high-resolution color screen with contact-based touch targets delivers an elegant, intuitive experience
- HD Soundstation supports Bluetooth and USB peripherals, 10/100/1000 wired connectivity and a handset option
- Detachable and serviceable 8-hour battery for a full day of work
- Highly secure remote connections with Cisco AnyConnect Security VPN Client
- HD audio with wideband support (tablet, HD Soundstation)
Cisco Cuis with HD Soundstation
Show Press Release
New Android-based Computing Device Uses Cisco Collaboration Architecture and Virtual Desktop Integration to Deliver Mobile Computing, Collaboration and Communication Services LAS VEGAS – June 29, 2010 – Cisco today unveiled Cisco Cius, a first-of-its-kind mobile collaboration business tablet that delivers virtual desktop integration with anywhere, anytime access to the full range of Cisco collaboration and communication applications, including HD video. Cisco Cius is an ultra-portable device weighing just 1.15lbs (0.52kg) that extends the productivity benefits of Cisco collaboration applications to a highly secure mobile platform. In addition to full telepresence interoperability, Cisco Cius offers HD video streaming and real-time video, multi-party conferencing, email, messaging, browsing, and the ability to produce, edit and share content stored locally or centrally in the cloud. Based on the Android operating system, Cisco Cius is an open platform for communication and collaboration whose form factor and applications are designed to more securely connect employees on-the-go with the right people in real-time, and to provide those workers with the ability to access and share the content they need from any place on the network. Cisco Cius offers IT professionals new options when it comes to equipping mobile workers with computing devices. Through virtual desktop integration, Cisco Cius offers flexible computing options with cloud-based services, providing dramatically lower capital costs and cost-per-user for desktop maintenance. Businesses can also tap into the growing Android developer community that is building business-class productivity applications with appropriate IT controls. The combination of applications and flexible computing options provides a compelling alternative to today’s PC-on-every-desktop paradigm.
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I think it looks fine just the way it is. It’s for business use. A “sexy” look isn’t needed. Plus,this blows the iPad out of the water in terms of use.
And once again apple will some out on top simply because everything else is ugly. All they need to do is wrap it in a decent looking case and it’s a winner. but will they ever?
That looks awesome, just hope I can grow out an extra arm and leg in time to be able to afford one.
Cisco delivers the food to the cafeteria at my work and if this tablet is anything like the honeyham, it’s gonna be a hit!
Knowing how Cisco prices enterprise-level hardware, they will probably cost about $5K/unit.
I’m actually quite excited for something like this. Most people won’t ever get to use it but since I work in the corporate world I can definitely see how a tablet like this will make things a lot easier for video conference calls. Cisco’s video conferencing systems are typically pretty pricey. If they can get the price point for the Cius tablet down to a reasonable level they should be able increase their foothold significantly.
android will soon be integrated into everything. GO ANDROID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like it, very Star Trek-ish. I hope to see other companies bring more cool tech to the table.
Awesomeeee!!!