CES 2010: Skype on Panasonic Viera HDTVs

January 05, 2010

Panasonic and Skype have announced a collaboration at the Consumers Electronic Show that will integrate Skype video chat into the spring 2010 line of Panasonic Viera-Cast enabled HDTVs.

The inclusion of Skype will allow owners of one of these upcoming sets to do the following with an Internet connection: free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls; calls to landline or mobile phone at Skype's rates; option to receive inbound calls via a user's online Skype number; Skype voicemail, if it is set up; and being invited to participate in voice conference calls with up to 24 other parties.

Video chat is enabled by plugging in a "specially-designed high-performance Panasonic camera" (sold separately) with resolution up to 720p. Pricing for the Viera-cast HDTVs with Skype and camera accessory is not currently available.