HomeWinBuzzer NewsFacebook Updates Portal Hardware, Including Kinect-Inspired Portal TV

Facebook Updates Portal Hardware, Including Kinect-Inspired Portal TV

Facebook has introduced the second generation of Portal devices, including the Portal TV, Portal, and Portal Mini.

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A year ago, became a bona fide hardware company and simultaneously entered the smart speaker/home market. The social network's Portal family of devices has received a second generation today, with three new models.

Called the Portal, Portal Mini, and Portal TV, the devices will be shipping over the next two months. Perhaps the Portal TV is the most interesting device here as it pays more than a passing nod to 's Kinect.

As the name suggests, the Portal TV connects to a TV and allows users to make Messenger and WhatsApp videos called on the big screen. Like WhatsApp in general, video calls on Portal TV will boast end-to-end encryption.

Unfortunately, despite being called the Portal TV, there's not a lot of TV features going on here. Yes, users can watch videos from Facebook Watch, while Amazon Prime, Showtime, CBS All Access, and Starz are on board. However, there's Netflix available. We guess Facebook will expand services in time.

In terms of music, Pandora and Spotify are supported.

Looking at the Portal and Portal Mini, the devices essentially replace the Portal and Portal+ from a year ago. In terms of the Mini, it gets an 8-inch HD display, while the Portal has a 10-inch panel.

Pricing and Availability

Facebook says the new Portal device range will be landing in the US, Canada, France, UK, Spain, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. Pre-orders are open today ahead of the Portal and Portal Mini shipping in October 15. As for the Portal TV, it will be shipped from November 5. Prices are at $129 for the Portal Mini, the Portal costs $179, and the Portal TV $149.

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Luke Jones
Luke Jones
Luke has been writing about all things tech for more than five years. He is following Microsoft closely to bring you the latest news about Windows, Office, Azure, Skype, HoloLens and all the rest of their products.

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