Sky Glass owners can now get an additional device to add to their TV, which will give them a host of new features for entertainment and connectivity.
It’s called Sky Live and it costs extra. We’ve spent some time with the product and have everything you need to know.
What is Sky Live?
Sky Live is basically a 12Mp wide-angle smart camera that connects to your Sky Glass via USB-C and HDMI ports. Thanks to its magnetic build, it should be easy to perch it on your TV. It can be adjusted to accommodate different heights of people, and it has auto-framing, so the camera can follow you around the room.
Once Sky Live is plugged in, your TV should automatically adjust its user interface to support any new features that Sky Live offers. This includes video calls via Zoom, hands-free gaming using motion controls, fitness videos that offer corrections based on your movements and Watch Together – Sky’s virtual watch party for live and catch-up TV .
We’ve gone into more detail about these features below – but before that, here are the key things you need to know.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
How much does Sky Live cost?
Here’s the price of Sky Live at launch:
- £6 per month on a 48 month contract
- £12 per month on a 24 month contract
- £290 buy direct
You can buy it now from Sky’s website.
Additionally, new Sky Glass customers can take advantage of an introductory offer which bundles the TV and camera together for just £17 a month on a 48 month contract. This offer is available in June and July.
Can I get Sky Live if I have Sky Q or Sky Stream?
Unfortunately, neither Sky Q nor Sky Stream are compatible with Sky Live.
If you’re considering upgrading to a dedicated Sky TV, check out our Sky Glass review. We also have a comparison of all Sky devices.
What broadband speed do I need for Sky Live?
Sky recommends that you have a minimum download speed of 30 Mbps and an upload speed of 5 Mbps for the majority of Sky Live features. You can check your broadband speed here.
What content can I watch with friends/family on Sky Live?
Live and on-demand content across Sky’s channels and platforms is available through Watch Together, so you can connect with friends and family for live sports like football, blockbusters such as Into the Spider -Verse and soap operas like Coronation Street. Anyone on the call can control playback or choose something new to watch.
Sky says content and audio will be synced across each TV, so you shouldn’t get any delayed reactions or feedback. Sky also says its noise-canceling tech will keep audio clear and keep background noise out of any party. You can include up to 12 people on a call, and they all must have Sky Glass and Sky Live too – no external webcams on TVs can be used in Watch Together.
Sky
Also, you must have the same TV packages to watch content together. So if you have Sky Sports but your dad doesn’t, you’ll still be able to invite him on a call, but he won’t see the game on his screen.
At the time of release, Watch Together does not support streaming services such as Netflix or Disney+, only content directly available through Sky.
What workouts does Sky Live offer?
As someone who trains regularly at home, this is one of the biggest benefits of Sky Live.
Sky has partnered with WithU for the Mvmnt app, which includes more than 130 TV workouts, with options for cardio, strength, balance (like yoga and pilates) and meditation. Workouts range from a quick eight minutes to a serious 40 minutes.
You may be thinking, “but why not just go to YouTube?”. Well, Sky Live tracks your movements and provides corrections to your form – even scoring your placements out of ten. This means you can get more of a studio-like environment at home. And you can personalize it further: there are ten different “personal trainers” to choose from.
There’s also a companion app, which is useful for giving viewing feedback when you’re not facing the TV (like plank). You can also use it to schedule workouts for the future.
WithU also told Tech Advisor that heart rate monitoring integration with Apple Watch and WearOS devices will come at a later date.
Sky
What games are included on Sky Live?
When I hear about motion control games, I get nasty flashbacks to the Xbox Kinect (RIP).
However, Sky is betting on family titles such as Fruit Ninja, Whack-a-Mole and Monopoly to keep everyone entertained. The tech giant worked with developer Nex to bring 27 games to launch.
There will be more to come, including a Peppa Pig game. The TV can represent up to four players with movement tracking, and double that for turn-based titles.
Some games (such as Monopoly) have iOS and Android integration, so you can play online with others that don’t have Sky Glass and Sky Live.
Sky
How do I video call people on Sky Live?
Sky Live includes integration with Zoom, which is useful if you want to make an important group call and tend to struggle with a laptop or phone.
You can switch between TV and mobile mid-call if you want, and you can log in with your regular Zoom account. Unlike Watch Together, you can call anyone on any device with Zoom, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Sky
Will Sky Live’s camera record all the time?
Sky has integrated a button on the top of the device, which turns off the camera when pressed. You need to know when it is on because a white light will be visible.
Is Sky Live worth the price?
It all depends on your own situation and the features you will be using.
If you regularly exercise at home or struggle to find the time to go to a studio/gym, Sky Live’s fitness features are a huge plus. Video calling on the TV is also useful for giving more space for people to appear on screen, especially if you have a lot of friends or family who live far away.
Watch Together is only useful if you have friends and family who also plan to invest in Sky Live and Sky Glass – otherwise you won’t be using this feature much. The games are also a fun addition, but seem particularly aimed at children.
Keep in mind that I’ve only had hands-on time with these features at this point. I will be testing Sky Live in its entirety and will have a review on Tech Advisor in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, for our current TV recommendations, check out our roundup of the best TVs and for more on another Sky service, read our article on Sky Protect home insurance.
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