Cisco's Tablet Act Like a Desktop

holy_calamity writes "Cisco's Cius tablet, due next month, is bulkier than the iPad 2 and has a smaller screen but it also brings tricks other tablets don't have. It can be connected to a keyboard, monitor and mouse to act like a desktop. Using an app to connect to a virtual desktop replicates a full PC experience, Cisco claims. The Cius also encrypts all data and is easily controlled by IT managers, who can control access to apps and other features."

Comments

the iPad can do that

[Anonymous Coward]

The iPad will happily use a bluetooth or usb keyboard and can mirror its display via VGA or HDMI, and in a few months, it can mirror its display wirelessly via an appleTV.

Re:the iPad can do that

[CharlyFoxtrot]

Yeah about that: "Optional HD media station with USB peripherals, 10/100/1000 wired connectivity, and a handset option"

And from TFA: "A WiFi only version of the tablet will be available worldwide from July 31 at an estimated price of $750." I can't see anything on storage capacity.
Wifi-only iPad2 starts at $499 (16Gb) to a max of $699 (64Gb)

Controlled by IT managers

[plover]

If IT locks out the app store, it won't be successful.

Like the iPad, it's too big to carry thoughtlessly like a phone. You have to have a reason to carry it. If Sally in accounting can't put Angry Birds on it, or the Kindle app, she won't want to carry it around. Those are the real reasons she carries her iPad everywhere, despite her claims of using it for calendar or email.

Good luck Cisco, but making it IT friendly is the opposite of making it user friendly.

Re:Controlled by IT managers

[grasshoppa]

I don't think you quite understand the market Cisco is playing to with this. They aren't trying to compete with the ipad in the consumer space, they are presenting an option for business customers ( where angry birds would not be installed ). As much as i hate cisco, this device interests me. A highly controlled device would make me feel better about pushing out HIPAA and PCI applications, for example.

heavy + bulky + expensive == better!

[vijayiyer]

So it's a lot like an iPad, but heavier, bulkier, and with a smaller screen, for more money. And your IT manager can stop you from putting apps on it. Sounds like a winner!

Re:heavy + bulky + expensive == better!

[GameboyRMH]

Inferior specs and capabilities never stopped any Apple product from being a runaway success, so I'd say it has a chance.

Actually, sounds like a good idea

[ltwally]

Actually, this sounds like a good move on Cisco's part. Why?

1. Apple makes devices for the consumer market. They have never had good support for the enterprise, where an IT department needs to have the ability to lock down any and all devices on their network.

2. Cisco, however, has very strong ties to the enterprise market. This will give them a definite advantage in both marketing and knowing what features potential (corporate IT) clients will require.

3. Apple has proven that there is a (consumer) market sector for these types of devices. There is a chance that market will fall over to the corporate sector.

The fact is that some of the very features which would make this unattractive to the consumer market are requirements for the corporate/enterprise sector. Such as the ability to lock down the app-store, and place other restrictions and controls on the device's usage. The corporate sector is long accustomed to paying more for less, so the price isn't as big an issue as many here are making it.

At this point, I guess we will just have to see if a tablet is of any real use in the enterprise.
My suspicion is that, right now, that answer is mostly "no". Time will tell.