Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) this week unveiled Cisco Umi (pronounced YOU-me), a high-definition telepresence system for consumers. The system consists of a high-definition camera with a built-in microphone, a set-top box and a remote. A high-definition (1080p) TV and Internet connection is also needed to round-out the system.

Beside being able to conduct video calls with other Umi appliances, the device can also place and receive video calls from other VoIP services with video, such as Google's (NASDAQ: GOOG) video chat. The price isn't cheap though, a point that is brought out in many reports on the Internet. For one thing, the basic hardware costs $599, topped with a monthly service fee of $24.99. Preorders can be placed now, though the Umi will be available on November 14 at Best Buy.  Cisco says that Cisco Umi telepresence will not "initially" interoperate with its Cisco TelePresence business solutions.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at PC World
- check out this article at CNN

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