New Collaborative Endpoint from Cisco
New Collaborative Endpoint from Cisco by Dave Michels
Cisco has a new endpoint. On display at Enterprise Connect 2013 was the Cisco DX650. It’s the first endpoint representing the new family of DX600 series of devices optimized for a “Desktop Collaboration Experience.” The device on display was the DX650.
What is it? It isn’t something that can be described by pointing at competitive products – it’s a hybrid of sorts – part phone, part tablet, part telepresence. It has a little Cius DNA, but represents a new endpoint category. It’s wireless, but not meant to be mobile. It runs Android with 7” HD touch screen, but also sports a handset and keypad. It’s a tablet that’s effectively permanently attached to a dock.
The device is designed to facilitate the broadening needs of modern desktop UC&C. The debate of hardphone vs. softphone just doesn’t have enough options. Most IP endpoints are largely modern devices wrapped in obsolete form factors. Softphones offer more capabilities, but carry the baggage of a multi-use platform. The DX650 leverages the benefits of a wired device (always-on), with operating system and app flexibility (Android with access to Google Play), with a telepresence device (HD video/camera and compatible with TelePresence and standards-based video video systems). It can be used for voice, IM, presence, video, and Cisco collaboration.
The DX650 runs Android ICS. It is a full-fledged Android device, so can run multiple applications including Gmail, but it also has its own apps that offer integration to Exchange and Domino. It comes preloaded with Cisco Jabber, Cisco WebEx, Cisco AnyConnect, and of course the Cisco core UC client that is built in. Many of these applications are optimized for the device.
The DX650 can be used remotely or with hosted services. It has a built-in browser to access applications like CRM. It also supports VDI clients for Citrix Receiver and VMware View. To simplify teleworking the DX650 can connect over wired (POE) or wireless LANs. It also has a built-in VPN client for itself and a device connected to its secondary LAN port.
It is a very interesting concept. The Cius didn’t make sense because other tablets offered a better option, but nothing quite competes with the DX650. It could potentially replace a desktop computer, or more likely complement one. IP phones are really overdue on reinvention, and the idea of using Android along with collaborative applications makes a lot of sense. Cisco separately announced concurrent WebEx and Telepresence sessions, so it also has an HDMI out, capable of supporting two monitors. If a seven-inch display sounds too small, the DX650 also supports a second monitor.
The DX650 will be generally available later this month. It is officially priced at $1,650, but initial street prices will be much lower due to launch promotions. It fits between Cisco’s high-end IP phones and personal telepresence systems.
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