The prospect of making video calls through your television is about to move a step nearer.
Sony, the world's second-largest consumer electronics company, is to announce that it is to start offering free video calls to owners of its PlayStation 2 (PS2) console by allowing them to chat over the internet, send video mail and receive targeted advertising through their TV sets.
PlayStation customers who already have a broadband connection will be able to turn their games consoles into a "TV-based broadband communicator" later this summer.
Customers will need to purchase a Sony EyeToy - the company's version of the webcam - as well as a Sony network adapter and special software that will be sold through retail outlets. The video call service, which will operate at 12.5 frames per second, is like a mix of video conferencing and the Voice over IP (VoIP) services, which enable users to effectively make free telephone calls over the internet.
EyeToy Chat, developed by the electronics giant's London studio, will be unveiled next week at the E3 computer games fair in Los Angeles. To be released initially in the Pal regions - the UK, Europe and Australia - the software will cost less than a standard PS2 game, somewhere below £39.99 (€59.33).
"This product will enable broadband communications between people who know each other," says Mr Phil Harrison, senior vice-president at Sony's computer entertainment division. "The key is that people who normally would exchange an email can now have a richer broadband communication experience."
Users will also be able to send 30-second video messages, up to five of which can be stored at a time, but will not be able to send group messages, forward mail, store messages on another device or download them to a disc.
The company hopes to capture a large share of the VoIP market by stressing the ubiquity of its devices. Last Tuesday, the company's annual financial report said it had sold more than 71 million units of PS2 since its launch in 2002. It has also sold more than 3.1 million EyeToys - which have been used for children's games - and sales of the network adaptors that allow PS2 players to play online has passed 300,000 in Europe.
Sony says it is also planning targeted "elective communication" services, including advertising,that will allow pre-prepared content to be delivered to the PS2.
As with Microsoft's Xbox, Sony allows players a form of audio communication over the internet through the audio channels that players use in games such as Socom (US Navy Seals). EyeToy Chat is the first time gamers will be able to communicate outside a game arena.
"I think EyeToy Chat will enrich the online gaming experience immeasurably," says Mr Harrison. "We will be able to offer multiple sensory communication - voice, video and text."
Sony says that EyeToy Chat will be far less open than email and is eager to stress that it will offer a safer environment than internet services. Users will have to request access to another user's address book before being able to make a video call or send video mail. - (Guardian )
