Do you trust this thing in your home? Read the CNET Editors take: Facebook Portal brings Alexa and Messenger video chats to one device - cnet.co/2pIdJPe
Absolutely it is a great product. You forgot to mention all the security and privacy features it has. This may not be a market for older people but for the young generation it will be successful. Its what the young kids love, live video on phones and now with a larger screen.
No one's asking for this product. This won't be a thing. Not to mention Facebook is THE wrong company to bring this out. No one's going to trust that camera or microphone.
i still don't understand how this cant be used for facebook live on business pages or even filming videos to upload to facebook pages. the one that moves around the room would be perfect for cooking channels and things of that nature.
dajetmiko eh. It’s not bad, but the fact that it still has ads bothers me. Plus it’s only got a handful of uses. If you’re totally in facebooks ecosystem then it’s fine but otherwise it’s not that useful.
Yeah, I am totally going to buy this! I mean, this device, coming from the most trusted company on Earth. I am putting these all over my house! Sign. Me. Up!
I initially told my family that they shouldn't buy this it was a waste of money. But, i had just call with my family who got this in Amazon today. I was impressed! they were using macbook and their own phones before to have a call with me and the video / call quality was light years ahead!
They should market this as a "I've fallen and I can't get up" version that also has a surveillance option for family checking in on their aging parents.
I know lots of people don't seem keen on this but am actually considering getting one for my gran. There's no way she'll use a pc or smartphone, but she might actually get along with this. Much cheaper than some of the alternative options for video calling oldies.
People should really get over "FB can't be trusted". You're naive if you think they are any worse than others, and you take their amazing and FREE services for granted.
They're releasing this one year too late. Might've gotten some traction if released last year. But this year, with all the negative news...I don't know. Facebook should just stay out of the hardware/manufacturing space.
i think this review is a little too harsh and critical. i think the portal is amazing. it allows me to stay in touch with my family on the west coast and it REALLY feels like I'm there with them. if you have loved ones who live far away, you will be blown by how immersive the portal's video chatting is
we have the same experience. this product is for those who have great need to be in touch with distant family, friends and relatives. we enjoy so much talking to our two grandchildren in the Philippines. that being said overrules all the freaking paranoia expressed by reviewers who never had the experience first hand...
Was that a fly/spider/other that landed behind and to the left of the smaller device on the countertop at about 2:57? It appears to land, then walk to the right.
It's cus your old.. you don't realize that this is the new home phone. The camera alone once it hits phones will make bank. The thing is.. this will change the way people do tutorials or online lessons.
Johnny Allen. Please tell us how will YOU will make money from this ....you are giving them all of your information .,want:s in it for you ....Cuz you are young ..????? Ads ???? how many times has Face Book been hacked into???? data breaches????
Johnny Allen there’s a reason home phones are dead. This again is a glorified FaceTime/Skype. Why pay $350 when I can FaceTime a family member on my phone? Or pull out m laptop and Skype them? Ohhh great they can see the rest of my living room, oh it follows me too.... yippeeee
Simple.. for instance.. ppl who teaching dance or anyone who does a master class.. can use this.. especially the camera.. I teach ppl over the phone all the time.. and the biggest issue is them going off camera.. or the phone falling or some crap..
If all it did was gather how long I spent on a call, I might consider it. You can be sure it can identify everything from the kind of clothes you wear to brand of sofa you own.
yes. it doesn't have the motion tracking feature (yet) but it's basically the exact same thing. the Portal has a better quality camera too, but those aren't good reasons to buy it, or anything else like it for that matter.
I want some sort of device to monitor my mother with her permission of course but she doesn't have wifi and I don't want to pay subscriptions. Is there anything out there for use in The U.K.? please.
From a design perspective the cheaper Portal is one of the best looking Alexa-type devices. However, it's not clear how much Alexa capability it actually has. For example, can it display voice-controlled recipes or open a web browser via Alexa?
I have the portal go and it’s a great piece of hardware. Unfortunately it is hamstrung by a extremely limited selection of apps…i’d love to use the device for discord calls…netflix…prime video…etc. But the device simply doesn’t let you. There’s no customization and you have barely any control as a user. That’s the core of facebook’s issue from a business model perspective. They think that as long as they craft a unique enough user experience that it gives them the right to control everything about how you interface with that experience…I think this mindset may be facebook’s downfall with it’s plans for the metaverse.
Why has no one else implemented this camera tracking feature? I feel like we're going to look back in 5 to 10 years and say, "Remember when we had to like hold our phone or whatever to stay in the frame? Yeah, we were dumb."
I got these and the ones with the screen for family and my self to do the video chat. Well I hooked up mine and my account now asking for mobile number so I typed it in and got a code to type in. Once I typed in the code it said your going to fast. It's been already few days and I got through it. Now I am being asked to upload a picture of myself so I did and the next day I got a your account is disabled. I asked family to post on the Facebook community page for help and rather then helping they delete the post. I search the page and found lots of scammers posting phone numbers but those post never gets deleted. I ended up creating a new account and I started filling out the city you live in what high school you went to. Once those been set I get a message saying that what I selected was against Facebook policy and now that account is asking me for my ID. I am just going to return it and go with something else. There are also no support phone numbers or email address to contact for support so remember when buying this you got no support if something happens.
"I'm not convinced there's a strong market for them" it is a terribly wrong assumption ... Personally, I use the old first Android tablet Motorola Xoom plug in most of the time in docking station. I would gladly exchange it for something newer and probably I would order a few of these devices especially the plus versions but limitations only to the facebook application for communication and it is not possible to disconnect the device and use it as a tablet and lack more apps causes that I will still be waiting for my dream device. I really like it, but it should have more options for this money.
I do trust this thing in my home. We have cell phones so is not any different. Also how come you did not mention all the security and privacy features it has. Like the option to disconnect video and audio and the camera cover. This is the future of home phone ☎️🖥
Remember, this portal will shut off automatically if it doesn't agree with what you say or what you believe. I would spend my $ on something more important like Toilet paper or similar.
A camera and microphone to track your communications just so that Facebook (once again) can have a crisis of conscience over 'this or that' and apologise for the umpteen time, 'I don't think so'.
I laugh at people wondering if they can "trust" this. If you think you have any privacy today, you're insane. Unless you don't have a facebook account, a cell phone, or ever leave your house.... This isn't going to make any things worse, it is just good marketing for CNET to say "omg what about privacy do you trust it?". For privacy, the first thing you should do is delete that facebook account AND get rid of your smart phone.
I feel like you could basically build this with a Raspberry Pi and some reused parts for < $100 and some coding work. I mean, you, not me. I would just wait until this drops dramatically in price.
This seems pointless because if they don’t have portal the device is useless. Why can’t you just use an iPad or the new iPad which has a camera that follows you around
Lady’s and gentlemen if you want everything about your life exposed let’s go buy a Facebook device that has a camera on it cause that’s going to go over great
What a shame, feels like I'm looking at dinosaur tech and it's NOT because it's not a good idea, it's because the implementation was wrong. Get the pulse OF your market before designing a product FOR your market. Also, it was never used in a relateable way, so people don't know where to put it in their lives (spoiler alert: if you don't show them, they won't do it because quite frankly they're too stressed with everything else and not feeling fulfilled. Your product won't make them change their current behavior.)
Cant wait to put one In my house so i can privacy taken away and be watch by a camera that can flow me every ware i go it been proven that facebook watch what u look up to help u find and listens to your conversation try it talk about dog food or buying a new tv it will pop up in ads even school supply
Do you trust this thing in your home? Read the CNET Editors take: Facebook Portal brings Alexa and Messenger video chats to one device - cnet.co/2pIdJPe
Nope.
Fack Naw
Never.
Absolutely it is a great product. You forgot to mention all the security and privacy features it has. This may not be a market for older people but for the young generation it will be successful. Its what the young kids love, live video on phones and now with a larger screen.
No no no
Geeez! I pay 350 bucks and I still have to deal with ads?! That alone is a deal breaker for me!
@Ben G spot on
It's now 179.99
Hey portal. Turn off.
Portal: Sorry Dave. I am afraid I can not do that.
Bluelaser Is tags from 2001 space odyssey?
Yep a telescreen
Facebook has shown a clear ability to be trusted so why not? I'm going to put one in my bathroom
HOW AND WHEN????
/s
How about the bedroom?😉
Jaky Mo Woosh
@@gabemcguire2463 Make sure that you wash your hands after flushing. Otherwise, ZUCC will know...
No one's asking for this product. This won't be a thing. Not to mention Facebook is THE wrong company to bring this out. No one's going to trust that camera or microphone.
Never trust facebook .
I don’t understand why I’d want one. I have a smartphone, a laptop, a TV, and Tablet. I don’t need another screen and device.
Brian Clark another failed attempt by Facebook trying to be innovative and enter the hardware industry.
why would I spend even 5$ for something my smartphone or computer can do?
why would I spend even 5$ for something my smartphone or computer can do?
@@entropy22 Why would I go by car to school when its something that my legs can do?
@@pedromartell4005 if you had to pay 200$ to lease your legs, I am sure you would use a car.
i still don't understand how this cant be used for facebook live on business pages or even filming videos to upload to facebook pages. the one that moves around the room would be perfect for cooking channels and things of that nature.
hold on.. did you say it also runs ads? So you pay $200 or $350 for a device and still have to see ads? no thanks.
dajetmiko eh. It’s not bad, but the fact that it still has ads bothers me. Plus it’s only got a handful of uses. If you’re totally in facebooks ecosystem then it’s fine but otherwise it’s not that useful.
ads for education dude lol
dajetmiko $350 for a glorified FaceTime? Oh and you wanna dun ads on it too??? Lol nah no thanks.
It will probably be add on the Facebook app not like after a call
They won't run the ads until they think your hooked. Then they will offer something where you can pay per month to have no ads :)
Yeah, I am totally going to buy this! I mean, this device, coming from the most trusted company on Earth.
I am putting these all over my house!
Sign. Me. Up!
Me too
lol
Please, for the love of god, tell me you're being sarcastic.
I initially told my family that they shouldn't buy this it was a waste of money. But, i had just call with my family who got this in Amazon today. I was impressed! they were using macbook and their own phones before to have a call with me and the video / call quality was light years ahead!
Just came here to read the comments lol
Rene Alvarez same
Lol me too
Me too
Rene Alvarez me too
Great review I like how you pointed out the pros and cons of the portal. I believe it will be at least 5 years before this product is widely used.
They should market this as a "I've fallen and I can't get up" version that also has a surveillance option for family checking in on their aging parents.
Another way for Facebook and the government to watch u
jose pazmino and perverts with top spy ware !
It comes with the thing that covers the camera when you’re not using it smart pants..
@@hassanfinance7806 I lost that
I know lots of people don't seem keen on this but am actually considering getting one for my gran. There's no way she'll use a pc or smartphone, but she might actually get along with this. Much cheaper than some of the alternative options for video calling oldies.
I want to get one for my mom in the nursing home I wonder if you can use earphones with it ?
People should really get over "FB can't be trusted". You're naive if you think they are any worse than others, and you take their amazing and FREE services for granted.
They're releasing this one year too late. Might've gotten some traction if released last year. But this year, with all the negative news...I don't know. Facebook should just stay out of the hardware/manufacturing space.
i think this review is a little too harsh and critical. i think the portal is amazing. it allows me to stay in touch with my family on the west coast and it REALLY feels like I'm there with them. if you have loved ones who live far away, you will be blown by how immersive the portal's video chatting is
we have the same experience. this product is for those who have great need to be in touch with distant family, friends and relatives. we enjoy so much talking to our two grandchildren in the Philippines. that being said overrules all the freaking paranoia expressed by reviewers who never had the experience first hand...
Was that a fly/spider/other that landed behind and to the left of the smaller device on the countertop at about 2:57? It appears to land, then walk to the right.
Can I use the Zoom app for video conferencing on Portal? Thanks for the video.
It's cus your old.. you don't realize that this is the new home phone. The camera alone once it hits phones will make bank. The thing is.. this will change the way people do tutorials or online lessons.
Johnny Allen. Please tell us how will YOU will make money from this ....you are giving them all of your information .,want:s in it for you ....Cuz you are young ..????? Ads ???? how many times has Face Book been hacked into???? data breaches????
clark clarke honestly this is no different than your cellphone or your laptop. They’re always listening no matter what.
Johnny Allen there’s a reason home phones are dead. This again is a glorified FaceTime/Skype. Why pay $350 when I can FaceTime a family member on my phone? Or pull out m laptop and Skype them? Ohhh great they can see the rest of my living room, oh it follows me too.... yippeeee
Devices dedicated to home video chat is a strong market. Your wrong.
Simple.. for instance.. ppl who teaching dance or anyone who does a master class.. can use this.. especially the camera.. I teach ppl over the phone all the time.. and the biggest issue is them going off camera.. or the phone falling or some crap..
I just like how the portal plus looks. I would probably get it for an entry way.
I agree this is a small market and except for the video tracking it overlaps other technologies that have been out for years.
If all it did was gather how long I spent on a call, I might consider it. You can be sure it can identify everything from the kind of clothes you wear to brand of sofa you own.
Oh good. Another device to TRACK us. LIke we didn't have those already?
Can’t this be done with an app with software when you’re video calling with your tablet?
yes. it doesn't have the motion tracking feature (yet) but it's basically the exact same thing. the Portal has a better quality camera too, but those aren't good reasons to buy it, or anything else like it for that matter.
Can you go live from your personal page or just do video chat in messenger?
I want some sort of device to monitor my mother with her permission of course but she doesn't have wifi and I don't want to pay subscriptions. Is there anything out there for use in The U.K.? please.
Hah, more like portal to your personal information
Plus now supports WhatsApp as well as Messenger (both owned by FB)
Does it work with what apps
Can connect a bluetooth headset ?
Yes
Where can I get help without cost with my portal mini
this is double worse than echo show and every smart device with a camera because its facebook
.can we use portal facebook in phillipines
I have been searching for something my son with autism can call me with. This looks perfect. No tough sell.
i cant' wait to buy for the holiday. We have families in all over and it will be handy for each of us have it
Can we use it in phillipines
Does it work with Amazon doorbell
From a design perspective the cheaper Portal is one of the best looking Alexa-type devices. However, it's not clear how much Alexa capability it actually has. For example, can it display voice-controlled recipes or open a web browser via Alexa?
I have the portal go and it’s a great piece of hardware. Unfortunately it is hamstrung by a extremely limited selection of apps…i’d love to use the device for discord calls…netflix…prime video…etc. But the device simply doesn’t let you. There’s no customization and you have barely any control as a user. That’s the core of facebook’s issue from a business model perspective. They think that as long as they craft a unique enough user experience that it gives them the right to control everything about how you interface with that experience…I think this mindset may be facebook’s downfall with it’s plans for the metaverse.
Face book belongs trapped within a web browser. It should not be allowed out.
Roach at 2:56 behind small portal :)
That was a fly.
Your privacy.
DO. NOT. TRUST. FACEBOOK.
I think the tracking fisheye is really cool
Why has no one else implemented this camera tracking feature? I feel like we're going to look back in 5 to 10 years and say, "Remember when we had to like hold our phone or whatever to stay in the frame? Yeah, we were dumb."
webcams for PC's have had face tracking for years , so it is nothing new .
Does it have music apps like spotify?
Yes of course
I got these and the ones with the screen for family and my self to do the video chat. Well I hooked up mine and my account now asking for mobile number so I typed it in and got a code to type in. Once I typed in the code it said your going to fast. It's been already few days and I got through it. Now I am being asked to upload a picture of myself so I did and the next day I got a your account is disabled. I asked family to post on the Facebook community page for help and rather then helping they delete the post. I search the page and found lots of scammers posting phone numbers but those post never gets deleted. I ended up creating a new account and I started filling out the city you live in what high school you went to. Once those been set I get a message saying that what I selected was against Facebook policy and now that account is asking me for my ID. I am just going to return it and go with something else. There are also no support phone numbers or email address to contact for support so remember when buying this you got no support if something happens.
Wait, wait, that cost 199 and THAT COST 399 AND YOU GIVE ME ADS. WTF. I DON'T KNOW IF FB IS GENUIS OR IDK
Never trust Facebook.
Tengo un portal +, pero no sé inglés y querría configurarlo para español y no soy capaz. Como puedo hacerlo?
¡Se lo preguntaremos a nuestros compañeros de CNET en Español!
ua-cam.com/users/cnetenespanol
i wish theres group call as well
_GEORGE ORWELL :1984_
Read the damn book...
I'm sure Mark did. That's where he got the idea.
You can use WhatsApp..not just Messenger
I need help with my portal.
funny how people trash on FB when they still use it lol
"I'm not convinced there's a strong market for them" it is a terribly wrong assumption ... Personally, I use the old first Android tablet Motorola Xoom plug in most of the time in docking station. I would gladly exchange it for something newer and probably I would order a few of these devices especially the plus versions but limitations only to the facebook application for communication and it is not possible to disconnect the device and use it as a tablet and lack more apps causes that I will still be waiting for my dream device. I really like it, but it should have more options for this money.
I do trust this thing in my home. We have cell phones so is not any different. Also how come you did not mention all the security and privacy features it has. Like the option to disconnect video and audio and the camera cover. This is the future of home phone ☎️🖥
Who knew we would be locked inside our houses doing zoom meetings all day just a few months after the release of this device...
Pretty sure this is the device that was in Winston's house in book 1984... :/
Well you’re not wrong
Edit:oh yea the one my family has doesn’t turn off
Imagine this thing following you when you are not using it lmao 😱😱😱
Why wouldn't you want ads to be made relevant to you? It helps me shop?
Because it’s an invasion of your privacy
Wow so basically a telescreen?
I have one and it doesn’t show ads
Remember, this portal will shut off automatically if it doesn't agree with what you say or what you believe. I would spend my $ on something more important like Toilet paper or similar.
A camera and microphone to track your communications just so that Facebook (once again) can have a crisis of conscience over 'this or that' and apologise for the umpteen time, 'I don't think so'.
I laugh at people wondering if they can "trust" this. If you think you have any privacy today, you're insane. Unless you don't have a facebook account, a cell phone, or ever leave your house.... This isn't going to make any things worse, it is just good marketing for CNET to say "omg what about privacy do you trust it?". For privacy, the first thing you should do is delete that facebook account AND get rid of your smart phone.
I feel like you could basically build this with a Raspberry Pi and some reused parts for < $100 and some coding work. I mean, you, not me. I would just wait until this drops dramatically in price.
I love the big one but do not want to pay for calls.
im living on jetson era
This seems pointless because if they don’t have portal the device is useless. Why can’t you just use an iPad or the new iPad which has a camera that follows you around
isn't it way better to use Snap Chat
That's heckin' crazy. You could get a cheap droid tablet and just run the app on the tablet instead.
why would I spend even 5$ for something my smartphone or computer can do?
Lady’s and gentlemen if you want everything about your life exposed let’s go buy a Facebook device that has a camera on it cause that’s going to go over great
Facebook? Amazon? Hmmm this sounds like ICE new collaboration
I will gift this to my worst enemy, so I can spy on them and know their whereabouts at all times. Suckers.
Alexa on it ???
I hardly use face messenger for Vedic chat so this is not for me
Besides I don’t want my tablet to follow me around
Biggest question:Is it safe?
this is really expensive for only using messenger
What a shame, feels like I'm looking at dinosaur tech and it's NOT because it's not a good idea, it's because the implementation was wrong. Get the pulse OF your market before designing a product FOR your market. Also, it was never used in a relateable way, so people don't know where to put it in their lives (spoiler alert: if you don't show them, they won't do it because quite frankly they're too stressed with everything else and not feeling fulfilled. Your product won't make them change their current behavior.)
It's perfect for bible study all over the world love the idea.
A seemingly nice product from an absolutely untrustworthy company.
don't understand why this is item so usefull for fb? that back to old style
Why not just use an iPad ?
Cant wait to put one In my house so i can privacy taken away and be watch by a camera that can flow me every ware i go it been proven that facebook watch what u look up to help u find and listens to your conversation try it talk about dog food or buying a new tv it will pop up in ads even school supply
Yeah that’s a no for me FB(i).
_"awwww stuck in the beard!"_
So I have to have a facebook account to use this? I'll pass
That's gonna be a no for me dawg.
Read 1984
Does Zuckerburg want my social and first born too? I'm totally game
still expensive though
Buy the Google home it's 80$
Oh Facebook owns it? Nevermind
uh...i still will avoid it like normal phone calls....PHUK DAT SHT
They are sucks at advertising it. Where is deaf people which using sign language 🤔
Cool devices!
unrealistic audio. Horrible review. Never trust cnet.
Yay! Now the Russians can tell me how bad my house looks!
Well they are forked. Cause i don't Facebook and I was planning on buying it. Thanks but no thanks.