Facebook announces Portal and Portal+ video chat devices

Facebook has just announced that its long-awaited video chat devices Portal and Portal+ are now available to preorder in the US, with shipping due to commence in November.

With a 10-inch 1280 x 800 display, the Portal is part of Facebook's mission to improve video calling by making it "completely hands and distraction free". If you're looking for a larger screen, the Portal+ is 15 inches wide, with both devices acting as a digital photo frame, displaying images from your Facebook feed when they are not being used to make calls.

Designed to rival the Amazon Echo Show, the Portal will retail for $199 (around £150 / AU$280), whereas the larger model, the Portal+, will cost $349 (£270 / AU$495), with Facebook's current deal of $100 off any two devices meaning you can get both for $298 if you're a US customer.

It's not year clear when Facebook will be launching the devices in markets outside the US, or how much they'll cost, but we've reached out to Facebook and we'll update this story as soon as we know more.

Smarty-pants

The new video call devices are powered by AI, with Facebook's 'Smart Camera' technology designed to follow you as you move around the room and zoom in to the action, meaning you can continue chatting over video while doing chores, cooking in the kitchen, or looking for something in your room.

Portal's Smart Camera works in tandem with 'Smart Sound', which minimizes background noise and hones in on the person speaking for a clearer video call experience.

Your friends don't need to own a Portal to receive your calls; as long as they have Facebook Messenger on their smartphone or tablet, you're good to go, with up to seven different people on one call.

Security is key

In order to make the Portal hands-free, Facebook has enabled voice controls – all you have to do is say 'Hey Portal' followed by the name of who you would like to call to start a video chat. 

For more robust voice-activated assistance, Portal also has Amazon Alexa built in, so you can ask your new video calling device for weather updates, news, and more, just like the Amazon Echo. 

Facebook seems to be well aware that privacy is a major concern for consumers in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, so it's made it easy to turn off the camera and microphone with a single tap, set up a password to lock the Portal's screen, and has also included a camera cover so you can physically block the lens at any time without missing out on notifications.

The social media giant claims that it won't "listen to, view, or keep the contents of your Portal calls", and that all calls are encrypted for heightened security. You'll also be able to delete your Portal or Portal+ device's voice history using your Facebook Activity log.

Sharing is caring

One cool feature of the new Portal devices is that they enable shared activities; so,for example, you can listen to music or watch TV shows with the person you're calling, with Facebook teaming up with Spotify, Pandora, Food Network, and more.

Facebook has also said that it's incorporating AR effects into the new video calling devices, with 'Story Time' designed to bring bedtime stories to life with colorful visuals and custom sound effects. 

This uses the Portal's Smart camera feature to transform your face and voice into those of the story's characters, meaning you can still give your kids (or your pets) un-rivaled bedtime tales no matter how far away you are.

Olivia Tambini

Olivia was previously TechRadar's Senior Editor - Home Entertainment, covering everything from headphones to TVs. Based in London, she's a popular music graduate who worked in the music industry before finding her calling in journalism. She's previously been interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on the subject of multi-room audio, chaired panel discussions on diversity in music festival lineups, and her bylines include T3, Stereoboard, What to Watch, Top Ten Reviews, Creative Bloq, and Croco Magazine. Olivia now has a career in PR.

Latest in Smart Speakers
Amazon Echo
Alexa Plus needs a flagship smart speaker – here are 5 things I'd like to see in the next Echo
A collection of Amazon Echo devices on a grey background
Want to try Alexa+? Here are the Echo devices it'll work on
Panos Panay at Amazon Alexa event
You can pay $19.99 a month for Alexa Plus – but why would you?
Panos Panay at Amazon Alexa event
Amazon Alexa event as it happened - Alexa+ subscription service officially announced with ample AI features
Google Nest Hub
If your Google Nest smart speaker has been giving you the silent treatment, there's now a fix
Amazon Echo deals
My technophobe mom loves her new Amazon Echo, so I'm shopping these after-Christmas sales to kit out her new smart home
Latest in News
The Russo brothers posing for a photograph and Herman carrying a Volkswagen camper van in The Electric State
'We're optimists': AI enthusiasts Joe and Anthony Russo defend its use in movies and TV shows, but admit there are 'very real dangers' around its application
UK Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer
UK PM says AI should soon replace civil servants
Xbox Copilot in Minecraft
Microsoft confirms Copilot can be tested by Xbox Insiders next month and shares new details about how the AI sidekick will enhance the player experience: 'It has to be about gameplay, it has to be personalized to you'
Eight Samsung TVs mounted to the wall showing different basketball games
Samsung is offering you 8 new TVs in one bundle for March Madness, in case you want to watch all games at once like a Bond villain’s lair
Image depicting hands typing on a keyboard, with phishing hooks holding files, passwords and credit cards.
Microsoft warns about a new phishing campaign impersonating Booking.com
The Steam Logo on a mobile phone in front of a wall of games.
Today’s Steam Spring Sale features my absolute favorite game of all time - here's when the sale starts and all the key info