Cisco killed the Flip camera and other surprises

The news last week that Cisco killed the Flip mini-camcorder — or, as Cisco put it, restructured its consumer products division — is full of surprises.

First, I have to admit, even as a Cisco Flip camera owner, I had no idea that Cisco owned the product, but it has since 2009. Guess I missed that one.

Second, everyone seems to understand that the death of the Cisco Flip camera is because of Apple Inc.’s iPhone and other HD video-ready smartphones. But, as New York Times technology columnist David Pogue points out, the actual number of multitasking smartphones out there is still relatively small compared to the number of phones that only offer voice services. So discontinuing the product (and, in the process, laying off more than 500 people) seems pretty premature.

Third, if Cisco really wanted to get some return on its investment, why not try to find a buyer for the Flip camera? Or give management an opportunity for a buyout? Crazy.

But given Cisco’s history in the consumer (small-business?) products space, it’s buyer beware the next time Cisco starts to take its eye off the enterprise