Samsung Puts Skype Client On Its TVs

Samsung has announced that it will be embedding a native skype client on its Samsung LED 7000 and 8000 Series flat panel models through its Internet@TV service.

Samsung will be joining archrivals LG and Panasonic as major consumer electronics giants seek to push computer-centric features into the lounge and bank on the hundreds of millions of Skype users worldwide.

The Skype client will be controlled via the remote control of the set and users will be able to create new accounts or access existing ones without the need of a computer.

However, Samsung has decided not to bundle or insert a webcam in the frame of its television sets. Instead, you will have to buy a webcam from Skype direct and they will be enjoying the same advantages as desktop-bound users.

This includes free calls to more than 500 million other Skype customers as well as Skype In and Out and unlimited calls to a number of countries for a fixed fee. It is likely that the service will be available even without the Skype.

Kevin Kyungshik Lee, VP of visual display at Samsung Electronics, said that "Our consumers want their televisions to be a ‘one-stop shop' for entertainment and communication delivered with the highest quality".

No pricing or launch details have been revealed although it is likely to be well above £1000. In comparison, the Panasonic G25 series, a 42-inch Plasma screen, will be around $1199.