Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg suddenly announced the announcement of a new product in a live broadcast scheduled for 10 p.m. Mark also asked his Facebook followers to guess what the new product would be. A few hours later, it turned out that the company had released a set of new Portal products.
The new lineup is focused on online video meetings and video calls. The company introduced the Portal Go and Portal Plus screens to compete with the likes of the Amazon Echo Show. They are equipped with improved cameras and are more convenient to transport.
go portal
Portal Go is probably the most unique device when you consider other brands. One of its main features is the internal battery. As a result, there is no need to constantly connect the device to a power source. The product can also be charged via a small magnetic stand that comes with the kit.
The design of the smart screen makes it easy to transport it anywhere, and it comes with a handle to simplify the process. The display has 10 inches and a resolution of 1200 x 800 pixels. The front camera has 12 MP. This is a very good resolution, considering that it will mainly be used for video communication and meetings. It's also one of the best cameras on the smart display market.
To enhance video meetings, the Portal Go system can quickly adjust the image to the person in focus. It can move the screen horizontally and vertically, and can have several zoom levels. There is a set of optimizations for Facebook, WhatsApp, Zoom, Webex, BlueJeans and GoToMeeting. Microsoft Teams will join this list in the coming months.
The device also comes with a calendar app that can be synced with Outlook or Google Calendar.
Portal Plus
Portal Plus is an update to the very first product released in 2018. It offers a slightly smaller screen with a diagonal of 14 inches, compared to the 15,6-inch screen of its predecessor.
It allows users to view up to 25 people in Zoom meetings. The device has a higher resolution — 2160 x 1440 pixels and a 12 MP camera. Portal Go's smart features are also present here.
Facebook provides intelligent features and a security-oriented approach
Both Portal Plus and Portal Go can perform actions based on commands such as "Hello Portal". In addition, they offer full compatibility with Amazon Alexa. There is a shared profile mode that allows the whole family to use the same product. This will provide separate access to each family member's contacts on WhatsApp or Messenger.
New products do not require calls to occur between portal screens. Now you can chat with any device that supports Facebook Messenger. In addition, security has been enhanced with new intelligent displays.
New Portal devices come with a password system to protect your information. They also allow you to disable cameras and internal microphones. They also come with a physical cover for the face screen. Facebook is doing everything possible to win the trust of its users.
Another security-related feature is the ability to encrypt video calls. However, this feature is not available as standard. Users need to activate it for specific contacts or groups. Additionally, you can also disable the "Hello Portal" interaction history.
Price and availability
The new Portal Go and Portal Plus will be available on October 19 in the US and Canada. The first will cost $199, the second will cost $350. Availability is likely to expand to other key Facebook markets in the coming months.
