With today’s announcement that Samsung have joined Panasonic and LG in offering Skype in their upcoming televisions, it raises the question as to whether or not people would actually use it.
Personally, I only really Skype when I’m overseas and need to call home, and now that I’m a dad I could actually see this being useful to talk with the whole family. But it’s certainly not a feature I’d look for when buying a new TV. Even though I like the idea, I’d much prefer access to online content over Skype functionality (or in an ideal world, both).
What about you? Does Skype on the TV excite you in unnatural ways?
Rodney
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 3:10 PMGive it a few months in the market to gain exposure and, as long as it’s average-joe-friendly, it’ll catch on. Reminds me of Back to the Future II…
Vuki
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 3:16 PMLet me know when they support Chatroulette :)
Nathan
Monday, March 1, 2010 at 10:19 AM+10000000
Woodsdog
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 3:50 PMDone properly and everyone will be getting it… nana’s from all over will be talking to Grandchildren in no time..
As long as I dont get some randoms trying to sell me more stiff drugs, porn and alike…
Shane
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 4:06 PMIt will depend on how it’s implemented (ie over wifi or direct network cable). I can’t see that many “average” people having network cables in their living room’s just yet (my wife freaked when I put them in)…
Although some might have for their gaming consoles.
Would I really want to stare at my friends and family through my TV? Probably not really, but do I think it’s a good idea, yes.
I might be more interested in getting a small one (10-12″) and use it as a “wall” phone instead.
Jeff
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 4:18 PMdefiantly gettin one of these units. its awesome idea.
though i don’t know abut the picture quality over the connection? on a 50inch lcd.
Sam
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 4:26 PMI think it’s a fantastic idea. I already know of one guy here at work doing the same thing with a media PC and a webcam hooked up to his TV. He finds it fantastic to chat to his family overseas and so they can see his kids.
Steve
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 4:28 PMI could see this being a great idea for Soldiers serving overseas contacting family etc, and for Miners doing fly in fly out work on rigs
Jim
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 4:58 PMNO
At least a PC / Laptop offers some ability to get privacy when necessary.
Do you really want to be having a good ol scratch in front your Grandma?
Matthew Deshon
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 5:05 PMYes, I would. Id honestly like it to be a stand alone box so i could turn it on or off as i wanted.
Tim F
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 8:22 PMI think it’s a great idea. I have family scattered everywhere and often skype together with my family ‘group to group’. Not a must-have by any stretch – one to one skype calling would still be on the laptop, but sometimes I think it would be really nice to have it all on the big screen, everyone happily chatting away from the comfort of the couch.
There are many must-haves in the implementation, though. Must have a reasonable webcam and must optimise sound so you can hear and speak from six feet away….
Ian Sampson
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 11:47 PMAlready doing it with freinds in the US thanks to a media PC hooked up to a 42″ Panasonic Plasma. Works well apart from the fact we sit much further back from the screen, and lighting can also be a problem.
pimento
Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 1:06 AMI use Skype a lot, and I have some internet where my TV is.. there is no way I’ll ever use Skype from my television.
bobs
Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 10:01 AMWe already do with our windows media centre in the loungeroom.
John Kirkham
Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 11:46 AMConsidering the last 3 versions plus beta’s have continually crashed for me (Vista/7) Skype won’t be on a TV near me.
bryAN
Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 11:47 AMI’ve had Skype on my big Bravia for a while now and it is awesome. My beautiful Japanese wife can have her family in the living room in Perth where the experience is utterly natural and compelling for anyone with family overseas
k
Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 2:16 PMI have actually tried this… using Skype on a HTPC connected to a big plasma… it was pretty much the whole family video chatting with another whole family… it was pleasant for the first 10 minutes, then it was infuriating.
Jubbin Grewal
Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 5:52 AMI think I would do it.. if the webcame was better than the ones they put in those laptops.. urgh.
I think it has potential to be a damn good idea though…
sj
Monday, March 1, 2010 at 6:14 PMnot interested in seeing who i talk to unless they really need to show me something. But chatting over skype from lounge room would be useful…having an incoming call popup on the screen while watching TV is useful