Cisco Live is going on at Las vegas and I just watched the keynote by John Chambers, their CEO. The turn around by Cisco is impressive and they are really onto something with their video strategy. Today Cisco announced their new tablet strategy bringing telepresence to the reach of Joes and Janes like myself and you. They announced a new Android based device called Cisco Cius which taps into their collaboration architecture (remember, they were talking only collaboration for the past year) with virtual desktop integration to deliver collaboration and communication to everyone from small businesses to enterprises so that their increasingly mobile workforce is empowered. It essentially means that users will have anytime anywhere access to state of the art collaboration and communication tools. Just imagine the impact of such a device on your business or government. If you thought iPad was a killer gadget that revolutionized the world, wait till you have this one on your hands.Cisco Cius is an ultra lightweight (1.15 lbs) Android based tablet offering 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. Some of the product features include
- A front-mounted 720p HD camera which refreshes at up to 30 frames per second; a seven inch, high-resolution widescreen super VGA touch-target display for real-time and streamed video, and single-button TelePresence interoperability that can be utilized either when the tablet is docked, or being used remotely via Wi-Fi.
- A 5-megapixel rear facing camera that can transmit streaming VGA quality video and capture still images, and dual noise-cancelling microphones for audio conferencing.
- An on-board accelerometer readily orients applications for viewing in portrait or landscape modes as the user rotates the device to their preferred viewing orientation.
- Supports 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi for enterprise campus mobility and 3G cellular services when off-campus. 4G services will be available at a later date. Bluetooth and Micro-USB means users can work untethered and share data with a PC.
- Completely integrated with Cisco collaboration applications including Cisco Quad, Cisco Show and Share, Cisco WebEx Connect, Cisco WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco Presence, and interoperability with Cisco TelePresence.
- Integration with Virtual Desktop so that any application can be streamed to the users' tablet for on the move productivity.
- An open platform on top of open source Android mobile operating system means that a vibrant third party ecosystem can grow around the tablet.
I think this is going to reshape business and governments all over the world. The reason I am very excited about this product is the Cisco's embrace of Open Source Android operating system to deliver an enterprise grade, but still very cool, product like this. Unless Apple opens up big time on iOS and associated products, we can safely say that Cisco just kicked Apple out of the enterprise picture. FYI, this device will be available to public in the first quarter of 2011.
You can watch the live stream of Cisco Live below
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Ben Kepes is an analyst, an entrepreneur, a commentator and a business adviser. His business interests include a diverse range of industries from manufacturing to property to technology. As a technology commentator he has a broad presence both in the traditional media and extensively online. Ben covers the convergance of technology, mobile, ubiquity and agility, all enabled by the Cloud. His areas of interest extend to enterprise software, software integration, financial/accounting software, platforms and infrastructure as well as articulating technology simply for everyday users. 
@benkepes what’s not ‘open’ about iOS in the enterprise?
@PolarBearFarm comment on the post dude… that’s what blogging is all about
@benkepes blog comments? People still allow that?
@PolarBearFarm imagine that…. and I don’t even have a paywall on diversity.net.nz cc/ @ChrisKeall @nbr
@benkepes looks like it has potential but won’t be convinced until I see one in action
@Matt_Green I like it lots….
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