In the first week of the New Year, Skype announced partnerships with LG and Panasonic to offer Skype-enabled HDTVs. This would mean free online calling service on a widescreen TV and because it’s free Skype-to-Skype, you can call as often as you like.

This announcement was timed to coincide with the opening of the annual consumer electronics show held in Las Vegas, where both LG and Panasonic demonstrated the service.

Skype software will be embedded into the new internet-enabled, high definition televisions from Panasonic and LG, namely Panasonic’s line of 2010 VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs and LG’s 26 new LCD and plasma HDTVs with Netcast Entertainment Access. Both lines of HDTVs are expected to be available in mid 2010.

Both television makers will also offer separate HD web cameras, optimized for Skype video calls that can be plugged into the compatible TVS. Skype claims that these HD webcams will include special microphones and optics that can pick up sound and video from a couch-distance. Soon you’ll simply be able to gather the whole family on the couch and communicate with your overseas family and friends from the comfort of your living rooms.

This collaboration takes Skype to another platform, in addition to the computer and the mobile phone, which is the technology heart of the home, the television.

“The popularity of Skype video calling has increased substantially in recent years with an average of 34 percent of Skype-to-Skype calls now including video,” Skype chief executive Josh Silverman said.

“Many people who are video calling on Skype… expressed a desire to communicate with their friends and family from somewhere comfortable, and preferably on a big screen,” Silverman said. “Logically, this led to the development of Skype embedded on HDTVs.”

Well, now the TV is not just a one way entertainment device but a two way communication device and a portal in other people’s lives. The plan to move video conferencing to the big screen makes sense because as much as the ability to make free video calls is nice and convenient, but having to speak to a laptop web cam is not the greatest user experience. This move will open up a new whole way for users to connect with friends and family from the comfort of their living room.

Personally, I feel to bring Skype to TV is a great approach for people who often communicate with their families and friends who are overseas. I could imagine how close these users would feel when they are able to chat and watch what the other parties are doing from their wide TV set. This makes having dinner together while far apart possible.

Also, no more having to miss your favorite TV show while waiting for your love ones to skype you : ) But the TV program will stop when the chat is on. Technology today does not allow you to watch TV and chat from there at the same time ;p