Facebook has launched two new Portal video calling devices, marking the introduction of the company's first portable option. Officials made the announcement on Tuesday, September 21.
According to reports from Indian tech outlet Gazette Now, Facebook's lineup centers on its Portal devices. The world's largest social network continues to refine and expand this innovative hardware.
Facebook has not disclosed official market demand or sales figures for Portal. However, a company spokesperson noted a surge in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by the rise of remote 'home office' setups and increased demand for video calling solutions.
The original Portal debuted in 2016, featuring a smart camera that automatically tracks users as they move around the room. During video calls, it keeps you in frame seamlessly, as long as you stay within the room.
The new portable Portal Go is priced at $199, while the widescreen Portal+ costs $349. Both will be available starting October 19.
The Portal+ boasts a 15.6-inch touchscreen with 1920 x 1080 resolution, along with high-quality cameras, microphones, and speakers for immersive calls.
As previously mentioned, Portal comes in two main models. The standard Portal resembles a sleek desktop device with a 10-inch touchscreen (1280 x 600 resolution), front-facing camera, microphone, and speakers.
Both devices integrate Amazon's Alexa voice assistant for hands-free control. Their AI-powered cameras intelligently adjust framing based on user movement, with added features like noise cancellation, Messenger video effects, stickers, frames, and support for additional apps.
