How Skype Can Impact Social TV

Posted by Gianluigi Cuccureddu SMP in Writers on May 14, 2011  |  0 Comments More from this author  |    |  Follow Gianluigi Cuccureddu SMP on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter |

It was all over the news last week, not Google, not Facebook but Microsoft has acquired Skype for a record amount of $8,5 billion. LastRemote wrote an article on what the acquisition could mean for Social TV:

The social TV implications are many. Skype is increasingly appearing on connected TV sets with built-in cameras and apps. And, of course, Xbox integration is a no-brainer: Kinect already has a camera, and the voice and motion element will make calling grandma as easy as, well, saying “Xbox call grandma.” So in the very near future, just about every TV will be able to make a video call with other TVs, laptops or mobile devices. Sure, Apple’s Facetime is cool, but Skype has massive scale.

“We’re committed to optimizing Skype for the TV with Xbox and Kinect,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in a webcast this morning. “(There’s) huge potential for us to create new user experiences and market opportunities.”

The more interesting implication is the impact it could have on Facebook's relationship with Skype. Microsoft already is altering Bing's search results with Facebook, this strategic move could well mean that Microsoft is looking for a socialisation of both devices as purposes. Facebook chat with video calling is an option, but proposing a Skype button that is diffused such as the Like button is a second one. 

The abovementioned is a snapshop based on current features of Skype, with the acquisition Skype can and probably will think about new features and directions it can take with the infrastructure and userbase Microsoft is adding.

What do you think are viable options for Social TV using Skype?