Google’s Android OS has finally been used in a tablet environment, and by a most unusual source, and in a rather unique application. Today Cisco announced the Cius tablet as an “ultra-portable, mobile collaboration business tablet that offers access to essential business applications and technologies.”

Obviously, the Cisco Cius is not the Android tablet many of us have been hoping for, since it’s directly targeted at the corporate world. However, it’s exciting to see a big player like Cisco get onto the Android platform and produce such an advanced business tool for the corporate world. Cisco will start rolling out customer trials of the Cuis in late 2010 with commercial availability expected in Q1 of 2011.

Applications capabilities:

• 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, 3G/4G data and Bluetooth 3.0 help employees stay connected on and off-campus
• HD video (720p) with Cisco TelePresence solution interoperability for lifelike video communication with the simplicity of a phone call
• Virtual desktop client enables highly secure access to cloud-based business applications
• Android operating system, with access Android marketplace applications
• Collaboration applications including Cisco Quad, Cisco Show and Share, WebEx, Presence, and IM

Cius tablet highlights:

• 7” diagonal, high-resolution color screen with contact-based touch targets delivers an elegant, intuitive experience
• HD Soundstation supports Bluetooth and USB peripherals, 10/100/1000 wired connectivity and a handset option
• Detachable and serviceable 8-hour battery for a full day of work
• Highly secure remote connections with Cisco AnyConnect Security VPN Client
• HD audio with wideband support (tablet, HD Soundstation)