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The company is considering the production of radios, phones and stereo systems, according to the Financial Times, which interviewed Charles Giancarlo, the company's chief development officer.

While the Internet fridge has long been held as an example of a high-tech white elephant, Cisco apparently believes the demand for increasing Net connectivity for a range of devices presents a new opportunity for the venerable networking company.

'Consumer electronics companies have been able to compete on a stand-alone device

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but the dynamics of the market are changing,' he told the FT. 'The Internet and new networking requirements are enough of a disruptor for us to enter a new market'.

While best known for network routers and switches, the acquisition of Linksys in 2003 already positioned the company in the home networking market (see Linksys frees Skype from the PC). And Giancarlo believes Cisco's existing relationships with major online players such as Google and Yahoo! will give it a further edge.

Cisco has clearly had its eye on the living room for a while though, with a string of pertinent acquisition including Scientific Atlanta, a US maker of set-top television boxes, and KiSS Technology, a Danish maker of Net-connected DVD players.

Whether the likes of Sony, Samsung and Philips will be shaking in their high-tech, branded boots remains to be seen, after all the consumer electronics is already a very competitive market...

What are your thoughts on Cisco entering this space? A logical extension of its networking products, or a pipe dream? Leave a comment via the link below.