Skype through your TV: Would you use it?
In case you haven’t heard the news, Panasonic and Skype announced a partnership in a pre-CES statement: all Viera Link-enabled televisions debuting in 2010 (which lets you access Internet content through your television) will support Skype for free video or audio calls. Sign me up, I say.
Imagine you’re curled up on your couch and enjoying a big-screen, high-definition movie. Then you hear a familiar ringtone through your speakers and decide to answer it with the remote. Not only is it your favourite aunt calling from Europe, but you can see her full-screen on the television and she’s holding a week-old baby on her lap.
Panasonic and Skype are making this Jetsons-like fantasy come true this year with select Skype-ready televisions from Panasonic. While details are slim about which models will support free video and audio calls (to other Skype users), and when it’ll be in Canada, but at least two VieraCast HDTVs will be outfitted for the optional 720p high-def camera accessory (with microphone).
As someone who travels a fair bit as a journalist, I can tell you there’s nothing like Skyping with my family back home, as I can blow kisses goodnight to my kids, catch up face-to-face with my wife and even walk around with my laptop to show them the crazy hotels I’ve stayed at over the years. And none of this costs me a dime.
Being able to see (and be seen) without having to get off the couch brings this to a whole new level. Panasonic confirmed you’ll be able to make free Skype-to-Skype calls to other users around the world (whether they’re on a PC, TV or smartphone), make cheap voice calls to landlines and cell phones (called “Skyping Out”) and send a call to Skype voicemail, if you’re into a TV show or movie and don’t want to be disturbed.
Panasonic also said you can engage in voice-based conference calls with up to 24 others, which means it’ll be easier to make plans to go out with a bunch of friends at the same time – while watching the hockey game, to boot.
Personally, I think this is great – in theory – and look forward to testing it out at the show (which opens tomorrow).
But what are your thoughts on this? Do you prefer to chat via Skype on a PC only? Or do you still prefer good ‘ol landlines? Do you think this is an example of clever convergence?
UPDATE 1: LG also announced today a similar partnership with Skype to allow for video/voice calls on upcoming Internet-ready HDTVs.
UPDATE 2: While no pricing has been confirmed, Panasonic tells Sync these Skype-ready Viera HDTVs will be in Canada in 2010.
Where do I sign up.
This is a great idea. However Skype shouldn’t stop at inking deals with TV manufacturers on new models. They need to introduce a very inexpensive add-on that will make this available on *any* TV. One way to do this would be to sell a camera that is compatible with Wii/PS3/xbox and then make skype available as a download through the respective online stores.
Good point, Simon. Apparently, Skype also announced a similar partnership with LG today.
Marc
Unfortunately, the limited upload speeds available with many residential broadband services (< 2Mbps) will remain a bottleneck for the foreseeable future. I’ve tried using Skype HD and short of commercial Internet access with 5Mbps+ upstream connections, it’s unusable.
Hopefully fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) with decent upload speeds will increase in availability and decrease in price. (Most service providers limit uploads to prevent users from running servers, sharing files, etc.)
Interesting to consider how this could enhance the online shopping experience offering the potential for a more social shopping experience as well as giving retailers the option of providing more personal customer service.
The answer is yes, I would use it. I think it’s a great step in enhancing personal communication from home, especially among those individuals who aren’t so PC savvy. No need to boot up a PC, no need to start an application… just push a button, dial and smile. Love it.
Your a douchbag bro ;)