I think where Cisco went wrong, like a lot of other companies, was that it was a high-end company first, and tried to get a high-volume, low-margin company to work.
Linksys used to be great. Then Cisco bought them and killed them. Example? Linksys WRT54G. The first two versions were great. In fact, I still have one that works. They even sold accessories (antennas) and stands for these. This was a great product (the first versions, anyway).
Then they cheapened them up. Cut features, made them fall apart by choosing lower-quality components. So consumers switched to the "other" products since for the same price or less most times, you could get a better product.
Cisco had just counted on using the branding and the "power" behind the name - and failed.
I kind of liken this to Honda and Acura. I have a Honda and love it - but they're seriously standing still in features these days. Yet an Acura is 20-50K more.
Sometimes it is better for companies to focus on one thing instead of trying to upsell the market.
Just my thoughts I suppose. Shame to see Linksys going this way - I hope they pull through and can once again compete.
Linksys used to be great. Then Cisco bought them and killed them. Example? Linksys WRT54G. The first two versions were great. In fact, I still have one that works. They even sold accessories (antennas) and stands for these. This was a great product (the first versions, anyway).
Then they cheapened them up. Cut features, made them fall apart by choosing lower-quality components. So consumers switched to the "other" products since for the same price or less most times, you could get a better product.
Cisco had just counted on using the branding and the "power" behind the name - and failed.
I kind of liken this to Honda and Acura. I have a Honda and love it - but they're seriously standing still in features these days. Yet an Acura is 20-50K more.
Sometimes it is better for companies to focus on one thing instead of trying to upsell the market.
Just my thoughts I suppose. Shame to see Linksys going this way - I hope they pull through and can once again compete.