While we have known it best for handling software, Facebook is venturing in hardware as well. The company has announced its Messenger-enabled video chatting devices, the Facebook Portal, with an aim to solve face to face communication problems.
Coming in two variants, the Portal and the Portal Plus are touch-sensitive smart displays that are laser-focused on video chatting. The former is a 10-inch display with a 1280 x 800 resolution, while the latter is a 15-inch screen which boasts a 1920 x 1080 resolution.
You can’t use the devices to browse Facebook, but can make calls to other Portal users, or anyone who has Facebook or Facebook Messenger.
“Thanks to AI technology, Portal makes video calling easier and more like hanging out, while a widescreen display lets you enjoy every moment together,” writes Facebook.
And while the camera can be used to make video calls, you can’t record anything.You can’t watch YouTube, no web browser, no WhatsApp, and no Instagram. You can’t send or receive normal Facebook messages, even if they’re video recordings.
The devices are designed to be used from a distance of up to 3 meters more than video calls made from using smartphones or computers. They have a 140-degree 12 megapixel camera that captures a wide field-of-view, providing scope for on-device software to zoom in and track the users’ movements.
With Facebook facing criticism over privacy concerns, the launch of the Portal could be a bad timing especially that they involve the use of “camera and microphone”.
But the company says that these issues were already thought of in the design of the device.
You can completely disable the camera and microphone with a single tap. Portal and Portal+ also come with a camera cover, so you can easily block your camera’s lens at any time and still receive incoming calls and notifications, plus use voice commands.
When not in use, the device will scroll through Facebook photos from you and your friends. These will be from albums that you’ve selected or photos that you’ve been tagged in.
Both Facebook Portal devices come with Alexa baked-in, to allow you start a video call or even “ask for sports scores, check the weather, control smart home devices, order groceries, and more.”
You can also watch shows on Facebook Watch or The Food Network; listen to some music off Pandora, Spotify, and iHeartRadio; not forgetting receiving updates off Newsy.
The Facebook Portal will be available in the US in November for $199 and the Portal Plus for $349. There will also be an offer of $100 off if you buy two at a time. Facebook says they will announce when the devices will be available in other regions.
