Sky to bring Facebook and Twitter to TV with zeebox

In the next natural step for television, Sky has announced a partnership with 'second screen' experts zeebox to bring 'ground-breaking augmented TV' to the UK.

Expected to go live in the first half of this year, Sky's zeebox service will bring a companion app to its satellite television customers. It will allow the likes of Facebook and Twitter integration, plus more direct contact with shows and services, such as buying related products.

While the thought of being able to buy tat from the tele easier might not excite many (and scare quite a few), the integration of social networking into the television experience has been on the cards for us all for a while, thanks to the advances in internet television (or IPTV).

What Sky is doing is integrating the existing zeebox platform directly into its own applications, making it the first TV platform in the UK to do so. This means both Sky+ and Sky Go will integrate the software, letting you share views on shows while you watch. 

Better still, you'll be able to access your Sky+ box on the move, letting you set up shows to record remotely. Plus, when at home, your iPhone or iPad will fully integrate, letting you use it as a remote too.

It's the latest step in making the home fully connected and integrated as far as your media is concerned - and anything that gets rid of an extra remote control has to be a step in the right direction.