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Facebook starts shipping Portal, Portal+ video-calling devices in US

Portal video calls are encrypted.

Facebook starts shipping Portal, Portal+ video-calling devices in US

New Delhi: Social media giant Facebook has announced that it has started shipping new video-calling devices Portal and Portal+ in US.

“You can purchase Portal for $199 USD and Portal+ for $349 USD from portal.facebook.com, Amazon.com, BestBuy.com as well as Amazon Books and Best Buy stores nationwide. Just in time for the holidays, you can also get $100 USD off any two devices — this means a bundle of two Portal devices is just $298 USD” Facebook wrote in a news post.

Both models are designed to make video chats feel less like a call and more like you’re actually in the same room. Portal improves video calling with a 10-inch 1280 x 800 display. For more flexibility, you can also opt for a 15-inch 1920 x 1080 pivoting display with Portal+, it added.

Portal supports group calls of up to seven people at the same time. Powered by AI, Portal’s Smart Camera stays with the action and automatically pans and zooms to keep everyone in view, and Smart Sound enhances the voice of whoever is talking, no matter where they move.

Portal also has Amazon Alexa built-in, so you can ask a question, set a timer, add items to your shopping list, control your smart home, and more.

The Superframe feature can display photos and videos, provide birthday reminders, and show you when your closest contacts are available to connect.

Portal video calls are encrypted. Facebook has said that it does not listen to, view or keep the contents of your Portal video calls.  You can delete your Portal’s voice history in your Facebook Activity Log.

Smart Camera and Smart Sound use AI technology that runs locally on Portal, not on Facebook servers. Portal’s camera doesn’t identify who you are, Facebook added.