Facebook launched Portal TV, a TV box that can connect the company's wide-angle video chat function to a large TV screen. Portal TV will be on sale on November 5th at a price of US$149 (approximately RMB 1060).
Portal TV is equipped with an HDMI interface. Connect it to the TV. After logging in to your Facebook account, you can use Messenger and WhatsApp to make video calls on the TV. Like the previous generation of Portal products, Portal TV also supports automatic following, focusing on faces, and zooming in/out through Facebook's algorithm. You can now make a video call by saying the "Hey Portal" command.
You can disable the camera and microphone through the cover or slide cover on the front of the device. Like other smart speakers, Facebook will review some anonymous recordings and let humans listen to them to improve its service. But the company said it can now opt out of the recording review program in the app's settings.
A picture-in-picture function has also been a
dded to Portal TV, allowing you to continue to see the other party's video chat while watching dramas and movies. However, the picture-in-picture mode is currently only available for Facebook's original programs, and the company is working to make this feature support other streaming services. Portal TV supports watching Amazon Prime Video, Showtime, CBS All Access and other video streaming services.Picture: Facebook
In addition, Facebook also launched two new Portal devices, Portal and Portal Mini. The former is an upgraded version of last year's model, and the latter is a version with a smaller screen. The 8-inch Portal Mini is priced at US$129 (approximately RMB 915), and the 10-inch Portal is priced at US$179 (approximately RMB 1270). Both support the screen portrait and horizontal modes. Both will be available on October 15th. On sale. In terms of functions, it is the same as Portal TV, and it is also equipped with a physical switch that can turn off the camera or microphone.