I wish I started this post off by saying “remember that one time when Facebook got hacked?”, but that seems more like a monthly occurrence now.

Facebook’s Portal

But in all seriousness, I was going to berate this device and tell you how unsafe it is to have in your homes but it’s actually pretty cool, and i still might do it. That being said, it is a pretty cool device.

This new video transmitting device goes by the name: Portal.

Now from the picture above, it looks like one of those digital photo-albums… and it very well could be if you so choose it. But the whole idea behind this device is being able to serve as a means of visual communication between two or more people.

There’s many interesting features to this, so here goes.

It follows you around

Not like literally, but also kinda literally.

Since you’re the center of attention, the camera glides sideways to continue showing your every move.

It understands noise

With the amount that’s always going on, sometimes video calls (or calls in general) are extremely hard to understand. Your background is always full of noise – neighbours, cars, rain, TV, or even your pets.

Facebook Portal is supposed to be able to identify the noises on your end, and make sure that your voice is the main noise that’s transferred. (Could this mean it has some sort of voice recognition software? Stay tuned!).

It’s big enough for the whole fam’

Not only is it meant to follow you around, but it involves other people too.

I am confused about one thing though. If you have a get-together/party at your place, and only you and your sibling want to be in the frame, would the Facebook Portal be smart enough to not include the 10 other people around you? And be smart enough to cancel their voice and only focus on yours?

Listen. I don’t have all the answers. I’m just a (Facebook) messenger.

Now there’s other interesting features, for sure.

• You can video-call absolutely anyone on your Facebook friend list.
  • Even if they don’t have a Facebook Portal (they can answer on their phones, laptops)
• You can add real time filters (Snapchat… Instagram… Samsung AR Emoji… Apple Memoji… Haven’t we had enough?)
• As mentioned above, when not using this device to call others, you can use it as a digital photo album (and even remind you of those Facebook birthdays you so often depend on)

And get this for a turn of events.

Facebook has seemed to have teamed up with my beloved Amazon’s Alexa. So go ahead and ask your generic food questions, check the weather, or even connect your smart home devices.

I’m not going to lie – I like it. But I maybe don’t love that this was just now released.

Facebook is drowning in scandals – and with new Amazon products, new Google products, new Apple products, and even new Samsung products, it doesn’t seem like this might be at the top of my Christmas list.

With different sizes, costs, and couple of features here and there, you can now pre-order the Facebook Portal with a 30 day money-back guarantee, 1-year warranty, and free US shipping.

Thoughts?