Facebook Unveils Portal TV to Turn Any Screen Into a Video Chat Hub

Facebook expands its Portal hardware lineup with a $149 clip-on camera that transforms televisions into immersive video calling devices. The new range also includes cheaper, sleeker smart screens that aim to bring social interaction to the living room.

18 Sep 2019 • 1 min read

Facebook introduces the $149 Portal TV, a clip-on camera that connects via HDMI to turn almost any television into a large-screen video chat device. This new approach allows the social network to bypass smartphone limitations by owning the hardware and operating system directly in the living room. Users benefit from an auto-zooming AI camera, Alexa integration, and end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp video calls.

The Portal TV serves as the centerpiece of a broader hardware refresh that includes the compact 8-inch Portal Mini for $129 and a redesigned 10-inch Portal with a thinner bezel for $179. A standout feature called Watch Together allows two Portal TV users to co-view Facebook Watch videos simultaneously while keeping their video chat visible in a picture-in-picture window.

By leveraging a screen that consumers already own, Facebook creates an immersive experience that undercuts traditional smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home. The entire new lineup is available for pre-sale today in the US, Canada, and several European markets, with the standard Portal and Portal Mini models scheduled to ship on October 15th.

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