CiscoTelepresence
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Cisco's Umi and TelePresence video calling systems: now with work at home and home at work
It was only a matter of time before Cisco's Umi and TelePresence services got together for some HD video calling synergy, and the company has finally enabled "full interoperability" between the two. Not only that, but the networking giant is also rolling out a free HD calling client called Umi Connect for PC and Mac (think SkypeHD) and a new Umi 720 system that works with slower broadband connections. The 720 will cost $399 upon its market arrival this summer, while the already available Umi 1080 gets a much-needed-yet-still-underwhelming hundred dollar price drop to $499. Service fees have also fallen from $275 to $99 a year and from $24.95 to $9.95 monthly for those who are commitment-averse. Maybe now you can persuade the bossman (or bosslady, as it were) to finally let you work from home -- though pants-free employment will undoubtedly remain off, or maybe just under, the table. PR's after the break. [Thanks, Adam]
Cisco TelePresence enables intercontinental dance practice at the oddest hours
Never mind the time difference -- these kids are dedicated. Young dancers in Shanghai and New York are currently training hard in order to perform in "The Red Thread" later this month in both NY and CT, but rather than going by the beat of their own drums, the two groups are collaborating over a few oceans and quite a few miles. Turns out, Cisco's TelePresence is good for more than just linking up discombobulated teams in 24, and it has enabled the dancers to begin preparing for their big day from opposite ends of the world. Now, when's that real-time voice translation update scheduled for?
