AT&T releasing Android powered Cisco Cius Tablet

AT&T* announced today plans to offer the Cisco Cius™ to its business customers. The Cisco Cius is an ultra-portable mobile tablet that enables access to essential business applications for virtually anywhere, anytime collaboration. Cisco expects the Cius to be available for AT&T’s HSPA+ network in the fall of 2011.

That’s the main idea behind this piece of news. The Cius is an Android powered 7” tablet that sports it’s own desktop phone docking station, and will bring the full range of Cisco communications applications to the palm of your hand.

Here’s the basic feature list from the AT&T press release:

• Operating System: Android OS
• Processor: Intel Atom 1.6GHz
• Memory: 1GB RAM, 32GB eMMC Flash
• Apps: AT&T, Cisco and Android apps
• Flash Support: Yes
• Multitasking: Yes
• Screen: 7-inch, multi-touch widescreen color display
• Screen Resolution: 1024 x 600
• Camera: Dual front and rear facing cameras
• Ports:  micro-USB (tablet); standard USB (HD media station)
• Navigation: GPS
• Storage: 32 GB internal flash
• Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G/4G
• Dimensions: 8.85 x 5.5 x 0.59 in. (225 x 140 x 15 mm)
• Weight: 1.15lbs (0.52kg)

The Android version isn’t specified, but given that Honeycomb isn’t spelled out, it’s safe to assume it is Gingerbread or below. Other than that, it’s an OK looking tablet. The real strength of this tablet, the Cisco Unified Communications Manager isn’t going to be available until sometime in Q4, so I fail to see the rush in getting this announcement out the door.

AT&T will release this tablet this fall and Cisco UCM will be available later. No word on that spiffy looking desktop dock’s availability.

Sources: AT&T | Cisco