Cisco

Cisco Systems has acquired Versly, a private startup that specializes in developing software and solutions for more effective collaboration and productivity.

Versly's primary tool is a plug-in on Microsoft Office applications that enables collaboration on documents, spreadsheets, presentations and e-mail.

So far it appears all of Versly's employees will be moving over to Cisco when the deal is complete.

Cisco has said that collaborative solutions will be a top focus for the company as it continues to reprioritize--especially as the San Jose, Calif.-based enterprise sees this field as an addressable market worth $45 billion. Consumer devices don't meet these requirements … Read more

The Linksys E2500 is the third true dual-band router in the new Cisco E series, after the top-notch 450Mbps E4200 and the Gigabit E3200. Compared with the specs of these two, the E2500 is inferior because it lacks Gigabit Ethernet, 450Mbps Wi-Fi standard, and a USB port to host an external hard drive. It is, however, much more affordable at just around $70.

In our testing, the Linksys E2500 was indeed much behind the other two in terms of throughput performance and range. Like the other routers, it is very easy to use, thanks to the Cisco Connect support that'… Read more

Cisco Systems is shelving a home energy management console and building energy software as it retrenches to its core networking business in the smart-grid area.

In a blog post yesterday, the general manager of Cisco's smart-grid business, Laura Ipsen, said that the moves are in response to customer feedback and product trials. "We are refining our strategy so we can most effectively apply our experience and expertise in IP-based communications to the electric, gas and water networks globally," she wrote.

Cisco had developed a Home Energy Controller, a small console that acts as a dashboard for viewing … Read more

Too busy to keep up with the tech news? Here are some of the more interesting stories from CNET for Wednesday, August 10.

Anonymous says it will target Facebook on November 5. CNET blogger Chris Matyszczyk asks, "Regardless of whether this is a fake threat, a rogue threat or a full-bore one, is Facebook scared? It surely has some reason to be."

Kindle Cloud Reader app allows you to get Kindle library on your PC or tablet from Safari or Chrome. You can read Kindle books on the iPad using the Safari browser. Apple may choose to disable … Read more

Networking giant Cisco Systems put a troubled fiscal 2011 to bed and CEO John Chambers promised a "focused, agile, lean, and aggressive company" in the year ahead.

Cisco today reported fourth-quarter earnings of $1.2 billion, or 22 cents a share, on revenue of $11.2 billion, up 3.3 percent from a year ago. Non-GAAP earnings were 40 cents a share, two cents better than Wall Street expectations. Overall, Cisco's fourth quarter earnings were down 36 percent from a year ago.

For fiscal 2011, Cisco reported net income of $6.5 billion, or $1.17 a … Read more

Cisco Systems will put a rough fiscal year to bed today, and analysts are expecting another weak outlook as the company puts its house in order.

Wall Street is expecting Cisco to report fourth-quarter earnings of 38 cents a share on revenue, of $10.87 billion. Unlike previous fourth quarters, analysts aren't expecting a big gain. Cisco is basically holding the fort and amid economic concerns another cut in the outlook can't be ruled out.

That Cisco outlook is expected to reflect an increasingly rocky economy. Juniper Networks, a key rival of Cisco, has already indicated that economic … Read more

Interbrand released a report today ranking the world's most green brands in terms of both perception and performance.

The companies on their list are not just using green initiatives as a way of creating a positive image with consumers. They are also making money from them.

Toyota ranked first, not only due to the financial success of its hybrid-electric Prius and its partnership on the all-electric Tesla. But since 1992 the auto manufacturer has also made large strides reducing energy use, water consumption, waste, and toxic emissions, according to Interbrand.

Among the 50 top green brands, Toyota is followed … Read more

Cisco announced today the availability of its first dual-band wireless bridge, the Linksys WES610N Wireless-N Dual-Band Entertainment Bridge. This is similar to the TEW-680MB from Trendnet and the DAP-1513 from D-Link.

The WES610N offers four Ethernet ports and can connect to an existing Wireless-N network, either on a 5GHz or 2.4GHz band. This means you can connect up to four nonwireless Ethernet-ready devices to an existing wireless network. The device is designed for home entertainment products, such as TV set-top boxes, game consoles, and other devices that tend to come without built-in wireless adapters.

The new Linksys bridge features … Read more

Cisco Systems announced today it would cut about 14 percent of its global workforce, or about 11,500 employees, as part of a widely expected reorganization.

The network-gear maker expects to save $1 billion a year by eliminating 6,500 jobs, including 2,100 employees who opted to participate in an early retirement program. The cuts, which were greater than the rumored figure circulating last week, include a 15 percent reduction in employees at the vice president level or higher, the company said.

The San Jose, Calif.-based company also plans to eliminate about 5,000 jobs by selling its … Read more