You might already have Skype on your iPhone, portable gaming system, or even your home phone, but 2010 looks to be the year of Skype on your HDTV, with Skype-enabled HDTVs from LG and Panasonic in the pipeline for a Spring release.
Skype have announced that they are soon to launch Skype functionality for HD TV’s. Some new TV’s in 2010 will come with Skype firmware installed, allowing for calls to be made through the TV instead of the computer.
Currently Skype is working with both LG and Panasonic to create the new Skype-enabled HDTV’s with launch dates of mid 2010. Webcams will be made available that can connect up to your TV allowing video calls to be made. The HD webcams will also have microphones built in.
These HDTVs will feature a built-in 720p webcam and a microphone designed to ensure you don’t have to shout, or get off the couch. HD video functionality has been added to Skype in the latest 4.2 beta, enabling 720p video at 30 frames per second, and there is a range of peripherals available from the Skype Store that allow older computers to encode and decode the HD video in real-time – including hardware from FaceVision.
[adsense]Some of the new features on these new Skype HDTV models include: Free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls; Calls to landline or mobile phones at Skype’s low rates; The option to receive inbound calls via a user’s online Skype number; Skype voicemail, if it is set up; Being invited to participate in voice conference calls with up to 24 other parties; And support for up to 720p HD video calls, depending on the availability of high-speed broadband and a HD webcam
“The popularity of Skype video calling has increased substantially in recent years with an average of 34% of Skype-to-Skype calls now including video,” said Josh Silverman, CEO of Skype. “For many people who are video calling on Skype, they have expressed a desire to communicate with their friends and family from somewhere comfortable, and preferably on a big screen. Logically, this led to the development of Skype embedded on HDTVs.”
As mentioned, also new Skype software for the PC has been launched. The new version is Skype 4.2 Beta that allows users to make HD calls from their PC at a 720p resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. To make use of the Skype software on a PC, you’ll need one of the new HD webcams that are going to be revealed at CES this year.
“With HD-quality Skype video calls, we can bring our users even closer to the ones they love through an even richer, more meaningful video calling experience,” added Silverman. “Imagine being able to see the sparkle of your grandchild’s eyes or the setting of your best friend’s engagement ring. Through the innovation of Skype’s engineers and our hardware partners, these scenarios are now possible without having to buy expensive equipment or software.”
Keep up to date with Skype-enabled HDTV at @skypeonyourtv on Twitter. (www.skype.com).
