Virtualization Magazine

Cisco says its seven-inch Android-based Cius tablet will be available to the enterprise, and only the enterprise, on July 31, around four months late, for a list price of $750, $150 more than the relatively comparable 32GB Wi-Fi iPad model.

Apparently volume discounts could bring the price below $700.

Cisco is charging a premium because Cius has voice, desktop virtualization and videoconferencing.

It also includes what Cisco calls AppHQ, a secure cloud-based combination storefront and tool shop that can be used to supply and build Cius applications.

Companies can use it as a privately branded store-within-a-store for deploying applications.

Being an Android device Cius can also connect to the less secure Android Marketplace if allowed.

Cisco promises that all AppHQ applications, whether created by Cisco, third parties or the enterprise itself, will be tested and validated. It will also let IT managers control which applications can be used on the devices by user role, device, type, source or category with AppHQ Manager.

There are reportedly 73 Cius-specific apps in AppHQ.

The widget's integrated with Cisco's WebEx meeting applications, Quad social software, Jabber messaging and TelePresence.

Initially Cius will only be available as a Wi-Fi device; 3G and 4G models are due in the fall from AT&T and Verizon. There will be an optional media station to turn the thing into a video desk phone. It can also be hooked to a keyboard, mouse and monitor.