Cisco reveals all-new, fully native Webex for iPad app

WebEx gains fully native iPad app

The latest chapter in Apple’s six-year Cisco partnership comes in the form of an all-new, native, iPad version of the widely used WebEx app for the tablet. It’s a partnership that even saw Apple CEO Tim Cook appear to speak at a Cisco event in 2017.

A magical experience

Cisco makes it clear it believes the future of work is going to by hybrid, and that’s going to mean employees need to use well developed apps. The company says it is working to ensure Webex integrated with the best platforms to create “truly magical” experiences.

Cisco also reveals that it has seen a 200% increase in Webex Meetings usage from mobile devices. In response, the company has built an all-new and completely native version of the Webex app for iPad.

A fully native app

Available next month, the new app makes use of all the best features you get on an iPad. That means support for Picture-in-picture, Split View and means the app supports Apple’s Center Stage feature, which uses AI to pan the camera to keep users in view.

You also get Apple Pencil support, the full suite of new WebEx features.

The latter include  Personal Insights, whichprovides the data you need to understand your work and team work habits; a new interpreter role, built in support for cloud calling (including making and receiving PSTN calls) and a wave of technology integrations from 60 third party apps, many of which also support Apple’s platforms.

84% of innovative firms use Mac at scale

Announcing the new iPad app, Cisco also teased us with an interesting stat and an interesting promise:

“The ultimate goal of our work is to provide the most platform-native and optimized video conferencing experience across Apple products, starting with the Mac – keeping our focus on user experience at the center of everything we do,” the company said.

“With 84% of the world’s most innovative companies currently using Mac at scale, we can’t wait to show you what we build next,” the company said )italics mine).

We believe Apple products are truly world class and set the highest example for how products should be built for business. We value our partnership and look forward to our continued work together.

I think we’ll be learning lots more about what Apple and Cisco are building for enterprise customers down the line, judging from Cisco’s comments there.

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