OK, but video to the home isn't really a consumer market. It's more like Cisco is providing gear to service providers, who then provide services to the consumer market. So video for Cisco really is a service provider play.
The consumer market means internet connected gadgets like the iPod, Palm Pilots, cell phones, home wireless networks, media centers, home gateways, etc. On the wireless network side and add-ons that Linksys has been smart about, I think they will compete well. But if they decide to take on Apple, Motorola, Nokia, and Palm in the consumer connected gadget categories, then I'd say good luck. They will fail miserably, because those companies have many many years of experience rolling out successful, easy to use, cool-looking consumer gadgets. Let's face it, Cisco is used to selling products where function is more important than form. That is NOT what skill is needed in the consumer market. Just ask Steve Jobs. He's the king of function AND form. Tough act to follow. |
