Facebook Portal Devices Drop Account Requirement, Add Streaming Apps
Facebook's Portal smart displays now allow users to log in with just a WhatsApp account, removing the need for a Facebook profile. The devices also gain new streaming services, business tools, and augmented reality features to boost sluggish sales.
Facebook updates its Portal smart display lineup to work without a traditional Facebook account by allowing users to log in solely with WhatsApp. This change opens the devices to WhatsApp's massive user base of 1.5 billion people, letting them make video calls and use features like Story Time without ever creating a Facebook profile.
The tech giant adds several new streaming options to Portal devices, including Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, and FandangoNOW, to make the hardware more appealing beyond simple video chats. Additionally, Facebook rolls out Workplace support to attract enterprise users and introduces fun augmented reality features like the Mic Drop lip-sync app and a Photo Booth mode for Portal TV.
These updates come as an attempt to boost reportedly low sales for the Portal family, which currently includes the standard smart displays and the Portal TV set-top box. By removing the Facebook account barrier and expanding the entertainment and business capabilities, Facebook hopes to give consumers more reasons to invite its camera-equipped hardware into their homes.