Monday, March 7, 2011

Cisco Connects umi and TelePresence Platforms

Cisco is enabling businesses to connect with consumers via full interoperability between Cisco umi and the Cisco TelePresence portfolio for businesses. Cisco is also announcing an expansion of its umi product line with a range of options, from free HD desktop video to high-quality immersive telepresence experiences on an HDTV. Cisco umi is a consumer product that delivers a high-quality, immersive video calling experience that goes beyond just seeing the people you talk to. The company is now adding:

  • Cisco umi Connect, a free HD calling client for PC and Macs (currently in trials);


  • Cisco umi 720, a new product that delivers an immersive telepresence experience with lower broadband requirements, which will be available at $399;


  • Cisco umi 1080, the original breakthrough telepresence offering for the home now available at a reduced price of $499.


  • The service fee for Cisco umi 1080 and 720 is now $99.00 a year, or $9.95 a month. There is no service fee for umi Connect for PC and Mac.


umi 1080 and 720 include an HD camera, a console and a remote. The new Cisco umi 720 requires less bandwidth, 1.5 mbps upload and download speeds which are readily available across most of the U.S. Both versions of Cisco umi intelligently adapt to the quality of the broadband in the home.


umi also offers HD recording and sharing on FaceBook, Flipshare and You Tube. In the case of a missed call consumers can leave video messages for one another. Both recorded videos and messages can be retrieved from a PC, Mac or smart phone. In addition, with Cisco umi telepresence, users can also place and receive video calls from anyone with a computer (PC or Mac), webcam and umi Connect or Google Video Chat.


Cisco noted that umi is in field trials with service providers in Europe, Latin America and Asia.
http://www.cisco.com