The pricey Umi service is built around the HD television that the company hopes is a centerpiece of the modern living room.
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Family gatherings, telepresence-style: Cisco Systems today unveiled Umi, which is built around the HD television that the company hopes is a centerpiece of the modern living room.
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Umi on TV, with remote
The Umi service includes a Cisco-issued high-definition camera with an embedded microphone, a set-top box, and a remote, but you'll need your own HD TV (1080p) and Internet connection to use it.
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Umi hardware
This is Umi's HD camera, console, and remote. Telepresence doesn't come cheap, alas: the hardware alone will cost $599, and then there's the $24.99 monthly service fee. Umi goes on sale November 14 at Best Buy.