Tely Labs teams with Skype on new HD video calling device
For consumers and possibly even small business owners, Skype has partnered with Tely Labs to roll out a new device that is boasted to provide free HD video calls on an HDTV.
Tely differentiates its solution from other Skype and video calling-related products on the market by touting it as a "more natural, social way" to interact. The TelyHD platform is designed for living rooms with a wide-angle camera that can zoom, pan and tilt to capture the entire room and all participants.
The friends and family on the other end of the line are not required to have TelyHD set up on a TV and can instead call from any other Skype-supported device with a video camera, such as a computer, smartphone or tablet.
Logistically, TelyHD is an all-in-one system that is touted to be ready for use within minutes of setting up. In the box, the buyer gets a a wide-angle HD camera, four microphones with noise cancellation, built-in Wi-Fi or a wired Internet connection, a remote control, an adjustable clamp for attaching to various TVs and all necessary cables.
The TelyHD device itself runs on Android using a Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core ARM A9 processor. it also supports USB drives and SD cards for immediately sharing photos directly within the video call.
The system does not require a PC or additional hardware -- of course other than an HDTV with HDMI support, which connects the device that can sit "discreetly" on top of the TV or placed nearby. It also does not require a computer or any additional hardware; users simply link it to their home network and plug it into their HDTV via HDMI.
TelyHD is available immediately for $249 via Skype.com and other online retailers.
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