Skype now in HD and on TV

Skype ventured into new territory today with both a higher resolution and support through HDTVs. The company's beta 4.2 app brings 720p video chat and allows for much higher detail than in almost any mainstream messaging app. Using HD is currently limited to Windows and needs both a webcam capable of 720p as well as a dual-core 1.8GHz processor and 1Mbps Internet access; Mac details aren't available, but most features migrate with future releases.

As part of the move to HD, LG and Panasonic have said they will launch Skype-capable TVs at CES this week. The sets will have 720p webcams for video chats and will support all the typical Skype feature set, including free inter-Skype voice and video as well as paid SkypeIn and SkypeOut with real-world numbers, conference calls and voicemail.

While the beta Windows app is available today, the Skype-ready TVs are due to ship in Internet-aware LG and Panasonic TVs by mid-2010.

LG TV with Skype



Panasonic Viera set with Skype

By Electronista Staff