Cisco To Challenge iPad With Cius 'Business Tablet'

GMGruman and several other readers noted Cisco's announcement of the forthcoming 7-inch Android-based iPad challenger, the Cius, which "... will offer multiple networking capabilities, keyboard and mouse support, and the ability to do videoconferencing. Cisco says it will cost less than $1,000, or about the same as an iPad. The Cius will come with a front-facing high-definition video camera that can record 720p video at 30 frames per second and a 5-megapixel camera at the back that can capture high-quality video and still images. Users will be able to engage in live video calls [most likely via WebEx] when the tablet is docked or being held. Some units will be available this fall, though general availability is not expected until early 2011."

Comments

Lot of space between $500 and $1k

[SuperKendall]

"Under $1k' (read $999) is what everyone thought the iPad would sell for.

But actually it's half that much, $500 for the base model (which I have and is fine).

It is interesting though they seem to be aiming this at video conferencing users, it could be a lot easier to set up and use than existing solutions.

Until the iPad 2 with Facetime comes out that is... 2011 seems like Cisco is cutting it close.