As promised in the previous article (https://www.arcticstream.ro/en/blog/discover-the-latest-cisco-videoconference-and-collaboration-endpoints), we continue the series on Cisco’s latest developments in audio-video collaboration devices designed for individual use. Just like the devices for meeting rooms, Cisco’s portfolio of collaboration devices for individual use is also extensive and diverse, ranging from accessories (headsets, video cameras) to complete all-in-one audio-video collaboration devices.

An overview of part of Cisco’s portfolio of collaboration equipment designed for individual use:

The newest individual-use devices in Cisco’s portfolio are represented by the Desk family (Desk Mini, Desk, and Desk Pro), the 8875-video phone, the 9800-phone series, and the Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980 and 950 headsets. All these devices integrate the latest technologies and innovations in the field of collaboration. The devices from the Cisco Desk family are designed for use in the office, at home or in hybrid environments. These are all-in-one video conferencing devices that integrate a display of various sizes, a video conferencing codec, premium microphones and speakers—all in a single unit. The devices allow you to participate in audio-video conferences, use the touchscreen as a digital whiteboard and use the devices as a primary monitor by sharing your laptop screen via a USB-C connection.

Cisco Desk Mini is a portable all-in-one video conferencing device that can be used in any space.

Key features of the Cisco Desk Mini:

• 15.6-inch display, 1080p resolution
• Interactive touchscreen
• 8 MP video camera
• Integrated speaker system (including low-frequency speakers)
• 3-element microphone array
• USB-C passthrough: allows computer devices (laptop/PC) to use the terminal with any video conferencing client installed on the computer, while benefiting from the camera intelligence and audio system provided by the Cisco Desk Mini

Cisco Desk is an all-in-one video conferencing device that can be used both at home and in the office.

Key features of the Cisco Desk device:

• 24-inch display, 1080p resolution
• Interactive touchscreen
• 8 MP video camera
• Integrated speaker system (including low-frequency speakers)
• 4-element microphone array
• Artificial intelligence features for noise removal and facial recognition
• USB-C passthrough

Cisco Desk Pro is also an all-in-one video conferencing device that can be used both at home and in the office.

Key features of the Cisco Desk Pro:

• 27-inch display, 4K resolution
• Interactive touchscreen
• 4K video camera, 12 MP
• Integrated speaker system (including low-frequency speakers)
• 8-element microphone array
• Artificial intelligence features for noise removal and facial recognition
• Laptop charging via USB-C
• USB-C passthrough

Cisco Video Phone 8875 is a high-quality collaboration device designed to enhance communication in the hybrid work environment. It offers deep integration with Webex functionalities, allowing users to join virtual meetings with just the press of a button.

Key features of the Cisco 8875 video phones:

• 7-inch touchscreen: Offers a resolution of 1024×600 pixels, providing easy access to call functions and text-based XML applications.
• 1080p HD camera: Delivers high-quality video for calls and virtual meetings.
• Hot desking functionality: Allows users to personalize the device in shared workspaces by accessing their contacts, calendar, and personal phone number after logging in.
• Intelligent noise cancellation: Enhances audio clarity by eliminating background noise.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity: Provides flexibility in device placement and usage, enabling connection to wireless networks and compatible accessories.

Detailed visual overview of the Cisco Video Phone 8875: https://youtu.be/vDgVeznXO6s

Cisco 9800 IP Phone Series

The Cisco Desk Phone 9800 Series includes the latest phones released by Cisco. These represent a modern range of communication devices designed to meet today’s work requirements. The phones are equipped with advanced features aimed at enhancing the user experience and complementing the broader Cisco IP phone portfolio.

Key features of the Cisco 9800 series phones:

• Unified platform with PhoneOS: All models in the 9800 series run PhoneOS, a flexible operating system that supports configuration across various calling platforms, including Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), Webex Calling, BroadWorks, and other third-party cloud platforms.
• Desk reservation and hot desking: These features allow users to reserve and log in to a shared desk, accessing their contacts, calendar, and personalized settings.
• Customizable action button: Each phone includes a dedicated button that can be configured for various functions such as emergency alerts, calls to IT or reception, public announcements, and more.
• Enhanced audio with noise cancellation: Integrated AI technology provides background noise cancellation on both transmission and reception, delivering superior sound quality.
• One-button meeting join: The “One Button to Push” feature enables users to quickly join any meeting directly from the device’s screen (available when registered to Webex Calling).
• Advanced security: The phones are equipped with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 hardware and support top-tier security features such as TLS 1.3, Secure Boot, and Image Authentication, ensuring end-to-end communication encryption.
• Sustainability: The 9800 series leads the industry in sustainability, made with over 74% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, featuring reduced and recyclable packaging, and energy-saving capabilities.

The 9800 series consists of four IP phone models: 9841, 9851, 9861, and 9871, as well as the 9800 KEM expansion module.

Key features of each phone model:

• Cisco Desk Phone 9841: 3.5-inch monochrome LCD screen (384 x 160 pixels), 4 line keys, no Wi-Fi/Bluetooth support.
• Cisco Desk Phone 9851: 3.7-inch color LCD screen (480 x 240 pixels), 6 line keys (expandable with optional KEM module), hot desking and action button support, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
• Cisco Desk Phone 9861: 5-inch color LCD screen (800 x 480 pixels), 10 line keys (expandable with optional KEM module), hot desking and action button support, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
• Cisco Desk Phone 9871: 5-inch color touchscreen (1280 x 720 pixels), on-screen line keys (expandable with optional KEM module), hot desking and action button support, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

A detailed comparison between the four models:

Optionally, the Cisco 9800 KEM expansion module can be used to extend the number of line or programmable buttons with an additional 20 physical buttons (40 virtual buttons using the “pages” feature). It can be attached to the following phone models:

• 9851 – one KEM, for a total of 46 buttons
• 9861 – up to 3 KEMs, for a total of 130 buttons
• 9871 – up to 3 KEMs, for a total of 120 buttons

Detailed visual overview of the IP Phones from the Cisco 9800 series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8oH4-4toF4

The Bang & Olufsen Cisco Headset Series

The Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980 and 950 headsets complement Cisco’s wireless headset portfolio with two new models developed in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen, a leader in high-quality audio equipment.
They offer superior design and high-quality acoustic experience, made from premium materials.

Key features of the Cisco 980 headset:

• Over-the-ear design
• 6-microphone system
• Speakers covering a frequency range of 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity
• Talk time: up to 23 hours with Active Noise Cancellation
• Listening time: up to 47 hours with Active Noise Cancellation
• Integration with Cisco Webex applications

Key features of the Cisco 950 headset:

• In-ear design
• 6-microphone system
• Speakers covering a frequency range of 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity
• Talk time: up to 5 hours with Active Noise Cancellation
• Listening time: up to 6 hours with Active Noise Cancellation
• Integration with Cisco Webex applications

In conclusion, as Cisco continues to innovate, since the publication of the first article on Cisco’s audio-video collaboration equipment updates, Cisco has launched a new product for conference rooms (Cisco Room Kit EQX) and introduced a new generation of Board devices (Cisco Board Pro 55/70 G2). A brief description of these follows.

The Cisco Room Kit EQX is an almost all-in-one video conferencing system. We say “almost” because the system is designed around the “bring your own displays” concept, offering flexibility in choosing the manufacturer, model, and size of the displays used with the system. Otherwise, it is a complete system, including a video conferencing codec, microphones, and speakers, all perfectly integrated into a modern stand. The system uses an AI-powered codec based on a high-performance NVIDIA processor that supports intelligence in video processing, audio processing, as well as language processing and interpretation. The solution is designed for medium and large conference rooms.

Key features of the Cisco Room Kit EQX:

• Supports flexible VESA mounting of two displays ranging from 65 to 75 inches diagonally.
• Intelligent system with 4 x 20 MP cameras providing a single 1080p video stream based on simultaneous frames from all four sensors.
• Supports optional Cisco PTZ 4K cameras (AI-powered with pan, tilt, and zoom functions, offering 4K resolution and up to 240x total zoom).
• Integrated system with 7 speakers, including a subwoofer for low frequencies.
• Microphone array consisting of 8 elements.
• Built-in audio amplifier with 16 audio channels and a total power of 200W.
• The Kit EQ codec offers multiple I/O options for external microphones and speakers; supports up to 8 digital microphones using audio over IP technology.
• Flexible mounting options: can be mounted on the wall, on a wall stand, or on a floor stand.
• Features speaker tracking, automatic group framing, and AI people framing.
• Supports 4K content sharing via cable or wirelessly through Apple AirPlay, Miracast, Webex, USB-C, and HDMI Passthrough.
• Can be configured to run Webex’s native operating system, RoomOS, or Microsoft Teams Rooms natively.
• Video interoperability in Webex RoomOS mode with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet.

Detailed visual overview of the Cisco Room Kit EQX equipment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3uOelJW66w

Cisco Board Pro 55/70 G2

The new generation of all-in-one collaboration devices for conference rooms, Cisco Board Pro 55/70 G2, retains the core elements from the first-generation Board Pro 55/70 (G1) devices while bringing a series of improvements in both hardware and functionality.

Below is an image summary of the enhancements of the G2 series compared to the G1:

Detailed visual overview of the Cisco Board Pro 55/70 G2 equipment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkHhmgLdFAs

In conclusion, Cisco video conferencing equipment brings important innovations that can transform the way we communicate and work, whether in the office, at home, or in hybrid spaces. If you want to learn more details or try these modern solutions, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is available to provide consulting and support at [email protected].