As successful as Apple's iPad has become, users have quickly discovered that without USB or ethernet ports, it can be quite limited for use in the business world. Networking giant (and now manufacturer of the Flip camcorder) Cisco has revealed plans to meet those limitations with their own tablet-styled device designed specifically with the business world in mind. It's called the Cius (pronounced "see-us") and it's a small, flat-screened portable filled with a suite of applications such as Quad, WebEx, Presence, and Telepresence, all aimed at IT professionals and executives who spend a lot of time in virtual meetings. 

Expected to hit the market in early 2011, the Cius has a 7" touchscreen (smaller than the iPad), two built-in cameras, an accelerometer, both Wi-Fi and 3G/4G internet connections, and a removeable 8 hour battery. For software it runs Google's Android operating system (same as the one in the phones), allowing companies to create their own software for it, and the Firefox web browser. It weighs just over 1.5 lbs, uses an Intel Atom 1.6 GHz processor and just 32 GB of flash memory.

Like the iPad, it's not a phone and can't be used to place calls by itself, but with its two cameras, a front mounted 720 p HD camera and rear-facing 5MP camera, and dual noise-cancelling microphones, can be used to place video calls and hold conferencing sessions. On top of that, Cisco is marketing an additional office dock called the "HD Soundstation" that includes a handset, USB ports, SD memory card slots, Bluetooth connection, and HD accoustical speakers. 

The idea behind the dock is to allow for a desktop experience. When connected to the Cius you can add use a traditional mouse and keyboard in place of the virtual one and use the Cius' video capabilities to push the tablet's video feed onto a nearby, larger LCD monitor. Naturally, they will also market a protective cover the Cius too.

In addition to packaging the Cius with their suite of networking applications, Cisco has also developed a special contacts-driven interface for it's business use. Of course being an Android device it can also run apps from the Android Market. No word on price yet.