Flip camcorder becomes latest victim of Cisco austerity drive
by Steven Mostyn - Apr 13 2011, 05:37
Dead before its time? Image: Flip/Cisco.
There was a time when the snazzy Flip camcorder was the iPad of video cameras, a fun little device that was both ultra portable and easy to use. How times have changed.
Indeed, with an ever-increasing number of smartphone handsets and tablet devices offering up dependable video capture, the Flip’s appeal now appears to have run its course.
Moreover, parent company Cisco Systems has this week announced that its popular line of Flip camcorders is to be abandoned—apparently falling foul of the company’s desperate need to restructure its costs.
"We are making key, targeted moves as we align operations in support of our network-centric platform strategy," commented Cisco CEO John Chambers in a statement.
The news arrives after Cisco recently announced plans to reduce its total employee workforce by around 550 bodies. It remains to be seen how many positions will be culled following the demise of the Flip business.
Reuters reports that a spokesperson for Cisco dodged the issue when asked why the seemingly successful Flip business had been suddenly dropped as opposed to put up for sale.
Cisco Systems purchased Flip for $590 million USD back in 2009. Its somewhat abrupt decision to pull the plug is something of a shock considering that the Flip was the best-selling camcorder in the United States during 2010.
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