TechFacebook Portal is going away and that’s a bad thingMeta has announced that it will no longer create its Portal devices for consumers leaving us with less choice for video callingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechFacebook Portal is going away and that’s a bad thingMeta has announced that it will no longer create its Portal devices for consumers leaving us with less choice for video callingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Meta has announced that it will no longer create its Portal devices for consumers leaving us with less choice for video calling
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Meta)
(Image credit: Meta)
In a bid to focus its efforts on the Metaverse, Meta will not produce any future versions of its Portal devices for consumers. While the Portal in its various forms was far from perfect, its disappearance from the market is a bad thing.
Video calls boomed in the last couple of years, mainly due to the pandemic. Lockdowns and remote working left many of us attempting to find new ways to hold meetings or just have drinks with friends. Zoom drinks became a regular thing and I went for nearly two years without physically seeing anyone I work with.
For non-work use, the ability to move the video call away from the laptop and onto a separate device or even your home TV screen was a welcome change. It meant you could have a more relaxed conversation from your couch, rather than at a desk.
Meta offers a range of Portal devices, most of which include a screen. These vied for market against thebest smart speakerssuch asGoogle’s Nest Hubs andAmazon’s Echo Show devices. The unique device though is its TV portal, a device that plugs straight into your TV to turn it into one massive video-sharing device.
(Image credit: Meta)
(Image credit: Meta)
The Portal units offer some great subject tracking to follow you around the frame, zooming and panning to focus the conversation on the subject. It’s a feature similar toApple’s Center Stage that is becoming a must-have on new iPads. They also offer a range of apps, including streaming services likeNetflix, Prime Video and Sling.
The requirement to connect your Facebook account or Whatsapp put some people off but it also offers five different video calling services, including Zoom andMicrosoftteams. It’s only those wanting to use FaceTime or Google Meet that isn’t catered for here.
The problem for the smaller devices is that Amazon and Google models do more but until Apple allowsFaceTime with the Apple TV, I haven’t found a better solution for big-screen video calling than the Portal TV.
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Without Meta Portal users have one less option when it comes to home video calling. While this is good news for Apple, Google and Amazon, less choice is never better for the consumer.
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Today’s best Facebook Portal Go, Facebook Portal TV, Facebook Portal 10" and Facebook Portal+ (2021) dealsFacebook Portal Go$199ViewSee all pricesFacebook Portal TV$259$237ViewSee all pricesFacebook Portal 10"$174.99ViewSee all pricesFacebook Portal+ (2021)$332.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Facebook Portal Go, Facebook Portal TV, Facebook Portal 10" and Facebook Portal+ (2021) deals
Facebook Portal Go$199ViewSee all pricesFacebook Portal TV$259$237ViewSee all pricesFacebook Portal 10"$174.99ViewSee all pricesFacebook Portal+ (2021)$332.99ViewSee all prices
Facebook Portal Go$199ViewSee all prices
Facebook Portal Go$199ViewSee all prices
Facebook Portal Go
Facebook Portal Go
$199View
$199
$199
See all prices
Facebook Portal TV$259$237ViewSee all prices
Facebook Portal TV$259$237ViewSee all prices
Facebook Portal TV
Facebook Portal TV
$259$237View
$259$237
$237
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Facebook Portal 10"$174.99ViewSee all prices
Facebook Portal 10"$174.99ViewSee all prices
Facebook Portal 10"
Facebook Portal 10"
$174.99View
$174.99
$174.99
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Facebook Portal+ (2021)$332.99ViewSee all prices
Facebook Portal+ (2021)$332.99ViewSee all prices
Facebook Portal+ (2021)
Facebook Portal+ (2021)
$332.99View
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$332.99
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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