22 June 2023 , 06:00
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It's finally here and it will change how you interact with the biggest screen in your house. Sky Live was first shown to the world all the way back in 2021 during the launch of the firm's all-new Glass telly which ditches the dish and uses broadband to beam content to the display.
Now, after months of fine-tuning, this camera-style accessory can be ordered, delivered and popped on your TV.
So what exactly does Sky Live do?
This device sits on top of your telly and aims to make a night on the sofa a little more interactive. Firstly, there's the option to launch a feature called "Watch Together" which displays a movie, boxset or sporting action on the screen along with video feeds from friends and family that also have Sky Live installed.
Sky is hoping this will make a movie night a little more fun as users can chat and react in real-time whilst watching the same thing on screen - even if they are in different parts of the country.
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Next up it's video calls with Sky Live fully compatible with Zoom. That means you can set up a chat and perform the call from the comfort of your sofa rather than holding a phone or tablet in front of your face. Sky Live even features tracking which lets it expand the view automatically to make sure everyone in the room is seen.
Sky Live features fitness classes (SKY)Along with video chatting this device has plenty more tricks up its sleeve with users able to take part in exercise classes via an app called Mvmnt. Fitness on your telly is nothing new but where things get clever is that Sky Live can track posture and position to make sure you are doing the moves correctly.
If you're not keeping pace or your body isn't matching the trainer you'll get an alert and guidance to help you get back on track. You'll even get awards and encouragement to keep you coming back for more.
The final thing coming to Sky Live is gaming. This option is a bit like the Nintendo Wii with actions controlling what's on the screen. For example, a game of Fruit Ninja will have you chopping the air and Starri uses dance actions to see who gets the highest score.
Where Sky Live differs from some consoles is that all interactions are performed with your body rather than controllers.
It all sounds impressive but there are some things to be aware of. Firstly it will add £6 per month to your bill (or a one-off fee of £290) and you're going to need a Sky Glass telly as well as it's not compatible with Sky Q or Sky Stream.
Sky Live can make video calls via Zoom (SKY)Finally, to use features such as Watch Together the people you want to invite to view content will also need Sky Glass and Sky Live.
If that hasn't put you off it's available from today.
Speaking about the launch Fraser Stirling, Global Chief Product Officer, Sky, said: “We surprised everyone when we launched our streaming TV, Sky Glass, in 2021. Now we’re doing it again. Sky Live makes your TV much more than just a TV, by introducing new entertainment experiences for the heart of your home.
“Get active with motion control games, work out with body tracking technology, video call on the big screen and watch TV with loved ones – even from afar. And this is just the start. With our powerful Entertainment OS ecosystem, it will keep getting better with every update.”
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