Facebook is launching a smart speaker-cum-video calling device. Called Portal (and the larger Portal+), the device comes with a touchscreen and has a user detection system that follows the user anywhere they move across a room, allowing one-to-one/group video chats and providing voice assistant features. To make video calls, the device must be logged into a Facebook Messenger account. While the camera itself doesn't move, it is equipped with a 140-degree purview including panning and zooming softwares.
Having faced major privacy issues in recent times – including the Cambridge Analytica scandal and this month’s hacking of 50 million accounts on its social networking site – Facebook is trying to assure that the Portal has privacy build into "every layer" (according to Facebook's VP of hardware Rafa Camargo’s comments to CNN Business).
For Portal, Facebook is also integrating third-party features such as Amazon's Alexa voice assistant for playing music and controlling connected devices. It will also allow users to listen to music from Pandora or Spotify together during a call.
Users can also play around with augmented reality tools on the Portal. When not doing video chats, the Portal can show selected photos and birthday reminders, although it will not have full access to Facebook.
The smaller version (10-inch screen) of the Portal comes at $199, while the larger one (15-inch rotating screen on a bulky mount with a camera on top) is priced at $349. Portal is available for pre-order from Facebook, Amazon and Best Buy, and will ship in November.
Facebook hopes to release more hardware products in the future.