Cisco unveils Cius Android tablet with HD video capabilities (update: video!)
By Laura June 
posted June 29th 2010 2:21PM
posted June 29th 2010 2:21PM
Update: And now we've got video showing off the Cius under the drone of a limp corporate voiceover and synthesized soundtrack. How can you resist clicking through to the embed?
Cisco Simplifies Mobile Collaboration With First-of-Its-Kind HD Video-Capable Business Tablet
New Android-Based Computing Device Uses Cisco Collaboration Architecture and Virtual Desktop Integration to Deliver Mobile Computing, Collaboration and Communication Services
LAS VEGAS, NV, Jun 29, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Cisco /quotes/comstock/15*!csco/quotes/nls/csco (CSCO 21.59, -0.83, -3.70%) 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.
ANNOUNCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Product Features
The Cisco Cius is a lightweight portable business computing tablet offered with an optional HD audio station equipped with a telephone handset speakerphone, HD DisplayPort and USB ports.
The Cisco Cius tablet features 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.
The tablet has 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.
Cisco Cius features an eloquent contacts-driven user experience, designed to enables users to quickly reach their important contacts.
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
Cisco Cius 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.
A detachable and serviceable battery offers eight hours life under normal usage.
Integration with Business Applications
Cisco Cius provides support for the comprehensive suite of Cisco collaboration applications including Cisco Quad, Cisco Show and Share, Cisco WebEx Connect, Cisco WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco Presence, and interoperability with Cisco TelePresence.
Cisco Cius is supported by Cisco Unified Communications Manager and is easily integrated into existing Cisco customer environments.
Cisco Cius helps ensure a more secure mobile collaboration experience by leveraging Cisco AnyConnect VPN Security, part of the Cisco Borderless Networks architecture.
Virtual desktop integration provides IT organizations with the ability to host software applications securely in the data center and to utilize the Cisco network to deliver those applications 'as-a-service' anytime, anywhere. Cisco Cius thereby supports data center consolidation and reduced software licensing costs.
Cisco Cius offers businesses the ability to take advantage of the ever-expanding ecosystem of cost-effective, third-party applications, supported by the Android operating system, while controlling user access policy.
Cisco will help expand Android developed applications for business by offering Cisco Collaboration Application Protocol Interfaces (API's) to developers through a Software Developer's Kit (SDK).
Availability
Customer trials of Cisco Cius will begin in the third quarter of calendar year 2010, with general availability in the first quarter of calendar year 2011.
@sapient2k7
Not saying right now. to quote Cisco:
"We are in discussions with several service providers across the globe. (..) we will offer a configuration with native 3G support on multiple service providers data service networks. 4G native services is currently on our roadmap for CY 2H 2011"
My money is on LTE.
This is good stuff. Between full suite of Cisco's Unified Collaboration tools, open to android marketplace, a wealth of connectivity options, this really does one-up iPad for the enterprise. Unlike others, I think its pretty darned nice looking.
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps11156/index.html
@Joe Cool
You're my hero. +1
I can't wait!!! This looks amazing!
Very sexy tablet. I'll take two.
This will definitely be a good addition as a option for business minded users.
Looks great...light (i really hate my iPad for that...it is damn heavy) and built by Cisco....but, it is still a tablet PC and i have no clue what i should do with a tablet without pen input...
Of course it was too much to hope that this product announcement from Cisco would fail to inspire mention of Apple.
I mean, the Cius has nothing to do with the iPad. Zilch. Apart from creating products that some people who work in big companies adore, Apple has historically ignored (or arguably antagonized) the enterprise. The Cius is an extension of the Cisco IP Phone that can run VDI. It ain't something you'll buy from Amazon and play with on the couch. Do many iPad owners run Cisco Call Manager on their home networks? I'm thinking not.
But rave on, geniuses. Tell everybody how this fundamentally distinct device can't compete with your iPad.
@jedifaka Well you do realize that a large part of why people are so stuck in Windows at home is because its what they ate used to at work right? Now if they get used to seeing Android at work guess what they are gonna buy for a tablet on Amazon or the phones they'll buy since they are constantly reminded that android connects to Cisco VPN.
If I had to guess, I'd say this was a Tandberg initiative that Cisco slapped their name on after the purchase. If that's the case, I'm sure you can expect superb performance and quality at a price (I call $799 - $899).
Very interesting, the UI on that Tablet looks a lot like Tandberg’s Telepresence software. I’d say Cisco is taking full advantage of the Tandberg Partnership on this one. I would suggest that they are not going to stop here, $10 you see Tandberg/Cisco badged VC apps across most mobile platforms in the next 12 months or so.
How much will it cost??
@roccoz
You should be asking your Cisco specialist in your company about that. Otherwise it's not for you anyway. My guest is a cool 3k+ for the hole package (software+dock station incl.).
WOW I guess this thing will be competing with the iPad. Everyone is going crazy to create competing tablet computers.
http://www.rapidautomatedincomereviews.com
But the people mentioning iPad are all the haters saying how this oh so much better than the iPad. evem though the target audience is totally different.
"plus all the regular tablet functions like messaging, email, and browsing." So it has come to this. A 'Tablet' is defined by what you can do with a phone OS in a big format. There was a time when a Tablet was a computer with a touch or pen interface, and a way to use it with the keyboard out of the way, either folding under, removing, or just absent. Now I quess a tablet is a big phone...without the phone. That used to be an internet appliance.
My hands on with Cius was awesome!
Cius next to iPad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlTe0bk0VAA
Cius Hands-on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0IvnniOwe4
There's a reason that CISCO doesn't really succeed outside its core competency.
Somewhere in Cupertino, someone is laughing his ass off.
"Business Tablet"
LMAO. What does that mean. Oh it can run open fart applications.
Apple just whispers "Jump" and the entire industry rushes to find out how high, and once again, it's too little too late.
Poor CISCO. I wonder if they're going to be in this copy Apple mode forever like Microsoft, or eventually get their act together and do something original?
@hankrearden It means the same thing business tablet has always meant. Oh forgot you thought Apple came up with the tablet.
Nobody is jumping for Apple. They ate jumping because they now have an OS in Android that allows them to take advantage of the form factor which Windows doesn't do. Companiea were working on and announcing Android based tablets well before any iPad info came out. If anything Apple jumped to stay ahead of Android.
@hankrearden
like they copied IPhone and IOS names ... oh wait.
I want it too, but with the Cisco sign it won't be cheap.
This could actually deal a big blow to iPhone and iPad in the enterprise. It plunges Android into enterprise with a huge name behind it and integrated with everything Cisco has to offer. It will be almost like its always been there. That then pulls along all the personal devices. I wouldn't be surprised if Google announced some partnerships or collaborations early next year. This is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Cisco AND Android?! Yes please
Cisco & Apple -
Two companies that price their products up in the rip-off range. Their stuff works works well in the internet world... but there are alternatives that work better if you look. Popularity is often driven by the amount of marketing dollars thrown at the problem - and both of these companies have huge amounts of cash in the bank. That said... I've worked for Cisco and own a lot of Apple toys... but have no plans to buy Cisco anything for home use - it's just way too expensive for what you ever get.