This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
Facebook has unveiled its second-generation Portal smart screens, designed to help users stay connected with their loved ones through the social network.
According to Facebook, the new Portal devices will be priced starting at $129, with the Portal and Portal Mini set to begin shipping on October 15, and the Portal TV device shipping on November 5 at a price of $149.
While Facebook did not disclose the exact number of Portal devices sold since their introduction last year, the company stated that adoption has been strong enough to inspire the development of second-generation models.
Shipments of smart speakers in the US nearly doubled to 57.5 million in 2018, with Amazon accounting for about 48 percent of the market and Google claiming nearly 39 percent, according to International Data Corp.
"We know the smart device category is packed and competitive; and those devices are great," said Facebook's augmented and virtual reality vice president Andrew "Boz" Bosworth. "But, Portal is the only device that is going to connect you with people you care about; and I would contend that any smart device that doesn't do that isn't that smart at all."
Portal is tied into connections at Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp, which is encrypted end-to-end, allowing users to make video calls with friends and family.
Facebook has also taken steps to address user concerns about privacy, including the inclusion of physical switches to turn off cameras and microphones, and the ability to opt out of having snippets of voice commands stored and reviewed to improve the software's grasp of spoken words.
Portal TV features include using augmented reality for funny looks and playing games such as boat-sinking classic "Battleship," along with the ability to watch Amazon Prime shows with far-away friends or family.
