NEW COMCAST XFINITY SET-TOP BOXES INTEGRATE FACEBOOK AND INTEL PROCESSORS

If you’re a Comcast customer, your TV viewing experience will soon get very interactive. Just yesterday, Comcast announced a partnership with Skype to bring HD video calling to your television sets, and today the company unveiled a new Xfinity set-top box powered by Intel that will integrate Facebook to bring social features and app support to its content service.

Comcast is using Intel’s chip for its new Xfinity set-top box, which will be manufactured by Pace. Intel has been pushing its chips into the home-entertainment markets with Google TV products already employing them. However, sales for Google TV have not met targets, and so this new partnership with Comcast is a good opportunity for Intel to expand into the digital home space.

As for the Facebook integration, it goes beyond just being able to access Facebook from an app launcher. Xfinity will allow subscribers to suggest programming to friends and also receive recommendations. Other apps will also be delivered through Xfinity, such as real-time traffic and weather, although which ones have not yet been confirmed.

However, it has not been confirmed yet when and where the new set-top boxes will be deployed and whether there will be an additional cost for current subscribers.

SKYPE PURCHASES QIK FOR $100 MILLION

Skype has bought QIK for $100 million according to Business Insider. QIK is similar to Skype but for mobile phones and tablets. By buying QIK, Skype will allow users of these devices to video chat in addition to the ability to send and receive video mail. Qik users can also record video with their mobile phone and have it instantly uploaded to the web or, if they choose, video can be viewed as it is recording offering mobile phone users the unique ability to stream live video.

SKYPE VIDEO CALLING FOR iPHONE IS OFFICIAL

In a shocking announcement, Skype has officially confirmed a video calling app for the iPhone and it is available now. Skype's official iOS client has finally sprouted the ability to make video calls, allowing iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and fourth-generation iPod touch users to share real-time video amongst each other and users of Skype's Windows, Mac, and Linux clients along with the ASUS Videophone (obviously, 3GS users won't have the convenience of a front-facing camera, but they'll still be able to broadcast video from the rear-facing one). Additionally, you'll be able to receive video from others if you're using an iPad or a third-generation iPod touch. The service is free and works over both WiFi and 3G -- and considering Skype's existing PC footprint, we'd argue this stands a very real chance of putting the hurt on FaceTime usage. No word on when Skype will be making video-capable clients available for Android or other mobile platforms, but Skype says that there'll be "plenty more" announcements in Vegas next week, so we wouldn't be surprised. [Engadget]

CISCO TO RELEASE HD CONSUMER TELEPRESENCE SYSTEM

Cisco has had a corporate telepresence system for quite some time.  Now, it wants to move into the consumer end to give the average person the ability to teleconference in HD.  A device and service priced between $200 and $500 (depending on carrier subsidies) is expected to be announced at a press conference next week.  It would allow for video calling, much like SkypeHD.  The company will be launching "inexpensive home telepresence product for personal use" according to All Things Digital.  Marthin De Beer, Cisco Senior VP, stated earlier this year "We didn't buy Flip to have it be only a video recorder." [Engadget]

APPLE PEEL 520 HEADED TO US

Apple Peel 520 is a slip on case for your iPod Touch that turns it into a pseudo iPhone.  The case has a SIM slot and software that will allow the iPod to make and receive calls and text messages.  There are a few flaws with this setup, but for "around $60", it could be an alternative to the more expensive iPhone.  It is currently unclear when it will arrive or how much it will retail for. [Engadget]

VIDEO CALLING IN NEXT iPAD

Although it is hard to confirm, or deny, from teh picture below, but according to 9to5Mac it shows video calling capabilities being tested for the next generation of iPad. [9to5Mac]