Cisco Systems Inc is launching a tablet computing device aimed at business customers, becoming the latest company to wade into the red-hot tablet market.

The networking equipment maker unveiled the Cius on Tuesday, a lightweight, 7-inch tablet based on Google Inc's Android operating system.

Cisco is pitching the Cius, which will work over both short-range WiFi and high-speed mobile wireless networks, as a collaboration and communication device for enterprises.

The Cius offers portable video conferencing, access to a users' desktop computer, email messaging and Web browsing, along with applications designed for the Android platform.

Apple Inc essentially created the tablet market with the successful launch of the iPad in April and a slew of tablet devices are hitting the market this year from companies such as Dell Inc and Toshiba Corp.

Unlike Cisco's offering, most tablets have so far been aimed at consumers.

The shares of San Jose, California-based Cisco were down 3.4 percent at $21.65 in afternoon trading on the Nasdaq.

(Reporting by Gabriel Madway; editing by Andre Grenon)

Apple inc. Cisco Systems Ipad