Cisco recently announced the upcoming release of a new product called the Cisco Cius, according to Cisco press 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.
The Cisco Cius is a small, portable tablet device designed to work with Cisco’s suite of business communications and collaboration applications. Features include full Cisco telepresence interoperability with real time HD video streaming, multi-party conferencing, email, messaging, browsing, and the ability to produce, edit and share content stored locally or centrally in the cloud.
The Cisco Cius runs on Google’s Android operating system, an open source platform. The Cisco Cius promises new communication options and increased productivity for IT professionals on the go. The Cisco Cius is also reported to support virtual desktop integration with cloud-based services and applications. Like all Android mobile devices, users will also be able to take advantage of the growing Android developer community that is cranking out a cornucopia of 3rd party applications.
From the Cisco Press release, reported Cisco Cius product features include:
- Optional HD audio station equipped with a telephone handset speakerphone, HD DisplayPort and USB ports.
- 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.
- 5-megapixel rear facing camera that can transmit streaming VGA quality video and capture still images, and dual noise-cancelling microphones for audio conferencing.
- Contacts-driven user experience, designed to enables users to quickly reach their important contacts.
- On-board accelerometer readily orients applications for viewing in portrait or landscape modes as the user rotates the device to their preferred viewing orientation
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
According to Cisco, customer trials of the Cisco Cius will begin in the third quarter of calendar year 2010, with general availability in the first quarter of calendar year 2011. No word yet on price.
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