Cisco Systems, Inc.,
(CSCO:
sentiment,
chart,
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which makes the switches and pipes and routers that make up the infrastructure of the Internet, now wants to be a player in the consumer electronics world too.
Cisco plans to introduce a new line of products, including a digital stereo system, at the Consumer Electronics Show in January in Las Vegas.
Other plans include a device to let people watch Internet video on their televisions, and a consumer version of Cisco's corporate videoconferencing system, called TelePresence. Cisco faces a number of hurdles. Although its products are well-known and respected in the corporate arena, it's unclear whether the brand has any consumer pull. It's also unclear how much consumers want to watch online content on their TVs. Other players have tried and failed in this area, including Microsoft, TiVo, Vudu and Roku. Apple has come closest, with its Apple TV.
Copyright Schaeffer's Investment Research http://www.schaeffersresearch.com