Skype On TV – Really?

Yes, really! In a few more months, you’ll be able to make video calls with Skype enabled TVs! This is truly “the future of video calls” as Skype puts it, and promises to revolutionise the way people stay in touch with each other.

Cool New Features

With Skype TV, you can video chat and teleconference with others within the Skype network for free! When someone calls you, you’ll see it pop up on your TV (much like an IM). You can answer the call even while you're watching TV but you cannot talk on Skype and watch a program simultaneously.
 
Thanks to Skype’s TV application, you no longer have to sit glued in front of your computer to see and chat with your loved ones. You can enjoy free real-time video chats with them from your living room in widescreen HD.
 
What You Need

All you need to use Skype on your television are a dedicated webcam for your television, a high speed broadband Internet connection, and of course, an Internet-connected TV with embedded Skype capabilities. If that sounds complicated, don’t worry! Companies like LG, Samsung and Panasonic have already announced Skype-enabled HDTV models (available in 2010). LG’s 2010 HDTVs will feature the NetCast Entertainment Access that comes with embedded Skype software. Ditto with Panasonic’s VIERA CAST HDTVs and Samsung’s 2010 LED 7000 and 8000 HDTVs.

Samsung’s Freetalk TV camera is already available to facilitate your Skype TV video calls and Panasonic’s Communication Camera is also about to hit the market shortly. These custom built webcams have special microphones that allow you to chat with someone on your TV without having to shout or inch closer to the set.

Additional Features

Skype’s partnership with LG, Samsung and Panasonic guarantees that your television video call experience will be enriched by high-quality images and sounds. With Skype’s TV application, you can also receive incoming calls (on your TV) from someone else’s Skype number and access your voicemail on Skype TV.

If you don’t have a Skype account yet, perhaps now is the time to consider signing up!