The Meta Portal[1] is a line of smart video calling devices introduced by Meta, formerly known as Facebook[2], in 2018. The original Portal, featuring a 10.1-inch display, and the Portal Plus, with a larger 15.6-inch display, marked the beginning of the series. Over the years, Meta added the Portal Mini, Portal TV, and the battery-powered Portal Go to its collection. While the devices were appreciated for their audio and video quality, concerns about privacy[4] and data usage were significant issues. In 2022, Meta decided to discontinue the Portal series, a move that impacted their reputation[3] and consumer[5] trust.
Meta Portal (also known as Portal) is a discontinued brand of smart displays and videophones released in 2018 by Meta. 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. The devices are integrated with Amazon's voice-controlled intelligent personal assistant service Alexa.
Developer | Meta Platforms |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Meta Platforms |
Type | Smart display |
Release date | November 8, 2018 |
Operating system | Android-based |
Input | Voice commands |
Website | meta |
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. Meta uses some data collected from Portal devices for targeted advertising, which reviewers cited as a privacy drawback.