These days, millions of people call their friends and family on their computers, but Skype is steadily making inroads on TV sets, too. Comcast announced today that its Skype for TV service just launched in Seattle and Boston, with eight more markets launching by the end of the week. The $9.95/month Xfinity add-on includes an HD camera, Skype adaptor and full-keyboard remote control. Once you’re wired up, you can access your Skype contacts — even import from Facebook — and video call from your TV. Here’s a grandma who’s clearly thrilled with your call:
Beyond the video calling you’d expect, the service includes some interesting social touches. You can send instant messages via Skype — with that full-text keyboard — while watching your favorite TV show at the same time (below). So for example, you can share your moments of joy (or give your friends some grief) while watching a live sporting event. If someone calls you while you’re watching, you can see who’s calling before you answer.
“TV is rapidly evolving as a social experience, and Skype on Xfinity is bringing friends and family together to share life’s moments through the use of the largest screen in their homes,” explains Cathy Avgiris, Executive Vice President and General Manager for Comcast Cable.
Skype on TV isn’t a new phenomenon: selected TV sets from Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, LG and Vizio are wired up with Skype — often as a free connected TV app — and an increasing number of sets come with a video camera build-in. But connected TVs require homeowners to plug them into the internet, and for those without built-in cameras, Skype requires an additional purchase of a webcam.
So while Comcast is charging $9.99 a month for something that’s typically free, it’s offering a plug-and-play package for the larger, less-techy-savvy population. And don’t forget Xbox, which is working on Skype integration that will work with the Kinect.
Beyond the inevitability of video-calling on TV — it’s not a matter of if, but when it becomes widespread — the question we find interesting is whether viewers will participate in Skype’s on-screen social chat feature. Currently, that’s the domain of the second screen. Your thoughts?