Zoom calls are on their way to Sony Bravia TV users, allowing them to join video meetings without squinting at a tiny laptop or phone screen in the comfort of their couches.
It is the first-ever hardware to support the upcoming Zoom for TV app, which debuts on the Google Play Store.
Zoom Calls on Sony Bravia TVs
Zoom rose popular amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which compelled the workforce to continue their daily grinds at home. Remote workers heavily relied on the video conferencing service for their daily meetings.
Although some employers have asked their workers to return to their offices, some continue to embrace the work-from-home setup. And as such, the latter still dive into virtual meetings from time to time.
With that in mind, Sony announced its plans to bring Zoom calls to its Bravia TV lineup, according to Engadget. The exciting development allows users to host and participate in Zoom meetings, turning their living rooms into virtual conference rooms and social hangouts.
Sony has always been at the forefront of home entertainment, and now they are taking it a step further by bringing Zoom calls to your living room.
As per a report by Digital Trends, it is not the first instance a tech giant brought Zoom calls to the big screen. It is worth noting that the e-commerce giant Amazon enabled Fire TV Cube users to join Zoom meetings using a Logitech webcam as early as 2021.
During Apple's recent WWDC 2023, the Cupertino-based tech giant confirmed that FaceTime is finally on its way to Apple TV, which enables users to use their iPhones as webcams. After this announcement, Sony revealed that the upcoming Zoom for TV app supports Bravia TVs.
How to Join Zoom Calls on Bravia TVs
Engadget notes that Bravia TVs, like most sets, skip on built-in webcams, unlike our trusty laptops. Given that, if you want to join Zoom calls on your TV, you must buy a Bravia Cam as part of your living room setup.
The Sony website says the Bravia Cam allows users to "enjoy video chat with friends and family on the big screen" for nearly $200 or $199.99, to be exact. Besides enabling video calls, the webcam offers advanced features that improve the overall experience.
It comes with a "Proximity Alert," letting users set a viewing distance for their children, which sends a notification when they are too close to the screen.
On top of that, it also delivers "Ambient Optimization Pro," which tweaks the sound and picture based on where you are sitting. From there, Bravia owners must download the Zoom for TV app straight from the Google Play Store.
