Samsung unveils Skype partnership

Your very own chat show

Korean electronics superpower Samsung has announced that it has teamed up with VoiP specialist Skype to offer video and voice calls through a range of new TV sets.

The forthcoming LED 7000 and 8000 series flat screens will have the Skype software built in but you'll have to supply your own camera and microphone or headset, which seems like a missed opportunity and altogether a half-baked idea.

It's not clear whether the sets will have a standard USB connection allowing any old cheapo webcam to work, or if you'll have to buy special Skype-branded peripherals. We have our suspicions.

Skype-to-Skype calls and video chats will be free but calls to traditional landlines and mobiles will incur charges.

The new sets go on sale in Korea today and will hit the rest of the world in the second half of 2010. Pricing has yet to be announced.