By James Wells at CES

LAS VEGAS: Panasonic and LG Electronics have both launched televisions at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with built-in Skype capability providing free internet video phone calls from any compatible device.

According to Panasonic, its Skype feature will be available on its top of the line plasma televisions, including the new Full HD 3D televisions. Consumers will have to purchase the new television to access the service as it has a USB port to accommodate the additional web camera device which has built in multi-directional microphone. The USB port can also accommodate a Wi-Fi dongle for easy online access.

Skype has 500 million consumers registered and 300,000 new users every day. In 2009, Skype represented 8% of the world's international calling minutes.