Cisco umi Brings Family and Friends Together in HD Video

By Ed Silverstein, TMCnet Web Editor

Cisco has introduced umi telepresence, a consumer product that brings family and friends together in HD video, whether they are around the corner or across the country.

Cisco’s umi (pronounced you-me) connects to an existing HD television and a broadband Internet connection to create a lifelike video communications experience.

Cisco umi, which includes an HD camera, a console and a remote, automatically adjusts to lighting conditions and various room sizes.

Once umi is connected to an HD television and a wired or wireless broadband connection, a remote control provides access to an on-screen user interface, through which users can make umi calls, access video messages, manage contacts, and customize their profile and settings.

Users can also record their own umi videos, which they can share on Facebook (News - Alert), on YouTube, or via e-mail.

Users can even keep in touch with people who don't have umi by placing and receiving video calls from any computer with a webcam and Google (News - Alert) video chat.

"Cisco is bringing people together, driving new video experiences that change the way we communicate, connect, and enjoy entertainment – in the home, at work, and on the go," said John Chambers (News - Alert), chairman and CEO of Cisco. "Cisco umi will bring the unique telepresence experience into living rooms and change the way we are able to be together with family and friends. We envision a future where technologies like this will play a role in connecting consumers with businesses to enable the delivery of new services, ranging from education, to healthcare, to financial services – to the home."

Cisco is also collaborating with Verizon (News - Alert) to bring the umi experience to Verizon FiOS customers early next year. The two companies have been conducting successful trials of Cisco umi over Verizon's 100 percent fiber-optic network.

"Verizon's high-IQ networks are incredible incubators of innovation that connect our customers to the things and the people they care about, how and when they want," said Eric Bruno, vice president, of consumer product management at Verizon. "We plan to be the first service provider to offer Cisco umi to our customers, delivering an amazingly clear and lifelike experience that brings family and friends into your living room."

Cisco is also partnering with Best Buy (News - Alert) to bring the Cisco umi experience to Magnolia Home Theatre stores this holiday season. Within Magnolia Home Theatre stores, consumers will be able to experience Cisco umi, get advice on the product and required broadband, as well as purchase Cisco umi, with installation and support provide by the Geek Squad.

An existing HD television and a broadband Internet connection are all that is needed.

This fall, Cisco will kick off a major marketing campaign that will offer many opportunities for consumers to see the umi experience:

"The Oprah Winfrey Show" will bring people together on the show via Cisco umi.

A national advertising campaign featuring Ellen Page, the star of "Juno" and "Inception," will feature Ellen and her friends using umi in their everyday lives.

A Cisco umi mall tour begins Nov. 10, and will travel to more than 20 major malls across the United States, during which consumers will be able to experience live umi demonstrations

Cisco umi is scheduled to be available for pre-order this week from umi.cisco.com and Oct. 18, from bestbuy.com. It is scheduled to be available to consumers on Nov. 14, in Best Buy/Magnolia Home Theater stores, bestbuy.com and umi.cisco.com for the suggested retail price of $599 with a monthly fee of $24.99 for unlimited umi calls, video messaging and video storage.

(source: http://unified-communications.tmcnet.com/topics/unified-communications/articles/107177-cisco-umi-brings-family-friends-together-hd-video.htm)