Facebook is refreshing its Portal video calling devices that launched one year ago.
The Facebook Portal is getting an updated design that looks like a picture frame to help it fit into your home. The standard Portal has a 10-inch HD display, similar to the original Portal, and there's a new Portal Mini with an 8-inch HD screen. Both are available in black and white color options and can be set up horizontally or vertically.
Both of the new Portal models have a 13MP camera with 114-degree field of view so you can make video calls. There's a four-microphone array and Amazon Alexa support to enable the Portals to act like smart displays, and both devices offer 10W front-porting stereo speakers as well as a rear woofer.
Facebook has also included an integrated camera cover and a switch that'll disable the microphone and camera for those times you want privacy. Facebook also says that the Portal's Smart Camera and Smart Sound features use AI tech that runs locally on the device and not on Facebook servers.
One thing that is sent to Facebook is an audio recording and transcript of your voice interaction when you say "Hey Portal" to use voice commands. A team may review a sample of your voice interaction to improve Portal's voice services.
Facebook says you can hear, view, and delete your "Hey Portal" voice interactions in your Facebook Activity Log. You also have the option of opting out of having your voice interactions stored and reviewed by turning off voice storage in your Settings. Several companies, including Facebook, have gotten into hot water recently for having workers reviewing their users' voice interactions without being explicit about it, so it's good that Facebook is being upfront about its reviewing here.
Also announced today is the Portal TV. This device hooks up to your television and turns it into a Portal video calling device. The Portal TV has a 12.5MP camera with 120-degree field of view, an 8-microphone array, and a remote to control it. Like the other Portal devices, it includes Amazon Alexa support and video calling through Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.
Finally, the Portal+ that launched last year is sticking around. It's got a 15.6-inch display, 12.5MP camera with 140-degree field of view, 15W speakers with an array of 2-inch tweeters and a 4-inch woofer, and support for Amazon Alexa and video calling.
The new Portal devices are launching in the U.S., Canada, U.K. France, Italy, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand. Facebook is now taking pre-orders in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The Portal and Portal Mini will begin shipping on October 15, while the Portal TV will begin shipping on November 5.
Pricing starts at $129 for the Portal Mini and $179 for the standard Portal. The Portal TV is $149, and the Portal+ is $279. Customers who buy any two Portal devices can save $50 on their purchase.
