Comcast and Skype: Creating New Ways for People to Communicate
Skype on Xfinity is a first of its kind, fully integrated TV experience that allows users to continue watching TV while video calling or instant messaging. People can make and receive Skype-to-Skype video and audio calls, send instant messages, and import contacts from their Xfinity address book all as they are enjoying their favorite movie or show on the same screen.
This unique collaboration between Comcast and Skype is giving Americans a new way to communicate — in vivid high definition from their big-screen TVs. Founded in 2003, Skype made possible a means of communication that has quickly become part of the mainstream. Its global presence and hundreds of millions of users, combined with Comcast connectivity, ensures that Skype on Xfinity customers can share moments on their TVs at home as well as connect with Skype users on their smartphones, tablets or laptops wherever they are.
When developing Skype on Xfinity, our user experience designers aimed to create a simple but transformational experience. We engaged dozens of partners, staged in-home demos and used real-life home situations to identify what people would want in Skype on Xfinity. We then designed a product that accounted for those needs and then some.
We haven't stopped there. Customers can access an interactive dashboard with personalized information, including local weather, traffic, sports, news headlines and DVR recordings. In addition, customers will soon be able to upload images and video on their TV to share with friends and family via Skype, as well as create photo slideshows.
We’re constantly looking for ways to make the user experience better and bring our customers new ways to connect and communicate. Skype on Xfinity does precisely that. It makes real-time video conversation through the TV an easy and accessible way to communicate and helps the distance disappear between friends, family, colleagues and co-workers.