Facebook had a surprise hardware launch today, its second product launch this month. The tech giant known for its social media platforms announced new models of its Portal video calling devices. The new Portal Go is its first battery-powered Portal while the new Portal+ has a new design and a smaller display.
The Portal Go has a 10-inch display and unlike the other models, it has a built-in battery that makes it possible to carry around while making calls. Facebook says that the battery will provide up to 5 hours of talking time on a one-on-one Messenger video call and up to 14 hours of playback time with the screen turned off.
Like the previous Portal devices, this too has a 12MP wide angle camera that will automatically follow whoever is in focus. It can also double as Bluetooth speaker and it now supports Spotify and Pandora.
The new Portal Plus is smaller at 14 inches (2140 x 1440) compared to the first Portal+ that has a 15.6-inch screen. It also doesn’t have that swivel stand that allows the display to be rotated from landscape to portrait. A lot of folks may prefer this new design as it also occupies less space.
It has a 12MP camera too and just like all Portal devices, there is a privacy shutter. There are also physical buttons to disconnect the camera and microphone.
Facebook also announce some new software features for Portals such as a Household Mode that allows you to share portal with your family. Access to select apps and contacts can be configured, so your kids can use portal to call their uncles and aunts but not anyone else. Portal devices now also support Zoom and will get support for Microsoft Teams in December.
Portal Go will sell for $199 while the new Portal Plus will have a $349 price tag. The two devices are already available for pre-order and will be available for purchase starting October 19.
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