Meta Portal

Meta Portal
Main page of the English Wikipedia displayed on a Meta Portal Mini
DeveloperMeta Platforms
ManufacturerMeta Platforms
TypeSmart display
Release dateNovember 8, 2018; 6 years ago (2018-11-08)
Operating systemAndroid-based
InputVoice commands
Websitemeta.com/portal/

Meta Portal (also known as Portal) is a discontinued brand of smart displays and videophones released in 2018 by Meta.[1][2] The product line consists of four models: Portal, Portal+, Portal TV, and Portal Go. These models provide video chat via Messenger and WhatsApp, augmented by a camera that can automatically zoom and track people's movements.[3] The devices are integrated with Amazon's voice-controlled intelligent personal assistant service Alexa.[2][4][5]

Reviewers rated the Portal line's video and audio handling capabilities positively, but criticized Facebook's privacy practices for commercial use of data that Portal devices captured.[6][7][8] Meta uses some data collected from Portal devices for targeted advertising, which reviewers cited as a privacy drawback.

  1. ^ Calore, Michael (October 8, 2018). "Facebook Made You a Smart-Home Device With a Camera on It". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028.
  2. ^ a b Kelion, Leo (October 8, 2018). "Facebook Portal video chat screens raise privacy concerns". BBC News.
  3. ^ Constine, John (October 8, 2018). "Facebook launches Portal auto-zooming video chat screens for $199/$349". TechCrunch.
  4. ^ Newman, Peter (October 9, 2018). "Facebook unveils Alexa-powered Portal smart speakers". Business Insider.
  5. ^ Smith, Dave (October 15, 2018). "The curious timing of Facebook's first hardware product, the $200 'Portal'". Business Insider.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Segan 2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wollerton 2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Chin 2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).