Last year we were the very first to report that Comcast was working on a simple way to integrate Skype video chat functionality into the Comcast Xfinity cable set top box using an inexpensive external camera. A few weeks later, Comcast made their plans official at The Cable show, stating they'd be launching the service sometime later in 2011. Comcast missed their original projections, but Wireless Goodness spotted the service, code-named "Astro" internally, winding its way through the FCC approval process.
They've got a little more detail on the service, which should cost users an additional $10 a month when it launches:
The device consists of a camera and microphone accessory that attaches to the top of a TV, and a small adapter box which manages connections between Xfinity s set top box and the camera array. The system also comes with a QWERTY remote that should make typing Skype messages pretty painless. User manuals for Skype for TV show a 10-foot style interface that does a good job of bringing Skype s interface to a TV screen. You can make audio or video calls, as well as send instant messages.
Comcast's entry in to the residential videoconferencing market comes just as Cisco announced they've scrapped the Cisco UMI service, which we first discussed back in late 2010 when it launched with a fairly ridiculous $600 (plus $30 a month) price point.read comment(s)