Facebook unveils Portal, its first ever smart home device

With competition among smart home and digital assistant providers heating up, Facebook has thrown its hat into the ring, unveiling the Portal and Portal+ devices, two video communication devices with voice controls powered by Amazons Alexa.

While Facebook is initially focusing on the communication aspects of the smart screen devices, both the Portal and Portal+ will be able to access entertainment services including Spotify, Facebook Watch and Pandora, with more partnerships planned.

The Portal offers a 10″ 1280 x 800 landscape display, while the Portal+ boasts a 15″ 1920 x 1080 display that can pivot between portrait and landscape. Both models have a Smart Camera feature that automatically pans and zooms to keep users in the cameras field of view, and Smart Sound designed to minimise background noise and enhance the speakers voice.

The devices will enable users to make calls to and from Messenger-enabled smartphones and tablets, with group calls of up to seven people supported at the same time. Portal has its own voice control technology, with users able to activate the device by saying “Hey Portal”, as well as built-in access to Amazons Alexa.

Facebook has placed considerable emphasis on privacy and security in its development and announcement of the Portal, with a built-in camera cover and the ability to completely disable the camera and microphone with a single tap. Facebook is also assuring potential customers that it wont listen to, view, or keep the contents of any video calls, and that the content will be automatically encrypted.

The Portal and Portal+ are available for pre-order now for US customers at the cost of $199 (£152) and $349 respectively. Facebook is also offering $100 off the purchase of any two devices, with the clear aim of encouraging the establishment of a wide network of devices. The Portal will begin shipping in November, and given the popularity that various Alexa-powered devices saw in last years holiday period, Facebook is clearly hoping to take advantage of the time frame.