Meta Portal - Smart Video Calling for the Home with 10” Touch Screen Display - Black

I have the 1st Gen and decided to buy this upgraded model. I love them both Let me start off by saying if you are not a Facebook user than this may not be the device for you. It's for voice and video chatting with family and friends on Facebook or WhatsApp. It has other apps like Facebook Watch and live [Updated, Live is no longer available]. It has Zoom, Bluejeans, Work live and other work services that are not full services. You can't type in the chat. [Update you can use chat features.] It has Alexa, but it's not a full version. It does not have drop in or call because that is an Amazon feature on the Echos and Dots. You can ask Alexa questions, you can use routines and skills and you can view Alexa enabled cameras and work Alexa enabled smart devices. I have used those features myself on the portal. You can use Alexa to play your Spotify, Iheartradio, Amazon music or Pandora accounts. If you don't have those accounts, Iheartradio is the best free one because as of right now, there is no sign in to use it and it does have advertisment. If you are not a Prime member, you can still use Alexa, just download the Alexa app to your phone, not the Amazon Prime App unless you are a paid Prime member. I have both on my phone because I am a Prime member. The browser is powered by Google and there are some limitations. You can't use the Facebook camera or microphone on websites. You can watch Youtube videos, you can go to the Amazon website, sign in and watch Prime Videos if you are a Prime member. You can watch movies on the Disney+, Hulu, HBOMax and Philo websites, if you pay for those services. I have also done that on the browser. You can't watch Netflix on the browser because Netflix doesn't allow it. It will only play trailers. A Netflix app may be coming soon on the FB Portal. You can use the browser to shop, sign in to email accounts, watch your local live news at their websites, watch Youtube or listen to Youtube music with or without a subscription. Just think of it as an extra TV or non portable laptop. You just can't download or upload to the FB Portal. Now for Non Facebook users. I have another 1st Gen Portal that is no longer connected to Facebook (mainly because I want to use it for entertainment outside) so this option is for you. I used the WhatsApp sign in to activate that Portal. You can only voice and video chat with WhatsApp users (no one really calls me on that app anymore). You cannot use any Facebook features. You can activate Amazon Prime if you are a member and still watch Prime Videos on the browser along with what I mentioned above. You can use Alexa to play your Spotify, Iheartradio, Amazon music or Pandora accounts or use Iheartradio no sign in. Use the browser like I mentioned above and Alexa. I love the FB Portal because it's cheaper than a laptop and I just wanted something to do the bare minimal and I didn't want a tablet either. Using Facebook is a bonus because a lot of my family and friends use messenger or messenger rooms. Love the camera when it follows you or zoom in on others in the room. Overall I am happy with this product and it does everything that I need it do. Update July 4th, 2021 For you karaoke lovers. You can connect a Bluetooth speaker to the Portal, connect a Bluetooth microphone to your speaker and go to YouTube on the Portal. On YouTube you can find your favorite song with lyrics or if you have Amazon music (some songs show the lyrics) you can have a fun karaoke party inside or outside. I use my Portal, the entertainment one to do that. If you decide to use one outside, I would suggest you use it in a canopy tent or not directly in the sun and not in the rain. You can also use it over a family or friends house if they allow you to use their internet. If it's connected to Facebook you will get interrupted with calls.

I recently had the opportunity to try out the Facebook Portal, and I must say, it’s a game-changer for staying connected with loved ones. The device boasts impressive features, making it more than just a regular video calling tool. One of the standout features is the smart camera technology. The camera automatically follows you as you move around during video calls, ensuring you stay in the frame without the need for readjustments. It makes conversations feel more natural and immersive, especially when you have young kids or pets running around. The sound quality is excellent, providing clear and crisp audio during calls. The built-in speakers deliver impressive volume and bass, enhancing the overall video calling experience. I found it perfect for catching up with friends and family, even in noisy environments. Setting up the Facebook Portal was a breeze. The device guided me through the process, and once connected, the user interface was intuitive and easy to navigate. The touchscreen display is responsive, making it simple to access apps and features.

I love it! It is used every day. Wish YouTube app was on it, but I can get online to pull it up.

So touch screen is great, sound is amazing. Had the whatsapp video call drop calls when using the filters during the call. Can call multiple ppl on one call. Just note that if you call via fb messenger or whatsapp you can only add people to the call via whatever app your using. ALEXA will not make calls. So if yiu say alexa call mom, it will tell you it is not supported and tell you to use your phone app. But if you say hey portal call mom, it will call mom and search via their name on fb messenger. The camera follows you but not as fast as it advertises on their commercial or video example. Video quality is legit. Perfect for a toddler that runs around and for the grandparents to enjoy watching him play versus a phone moving around all the time. No more video calls with them looking up his nose or facing the wall. Lol. Really enjoying this product and use it mostly for music and video calls so far. There aren't that mant apps for it yet. However sure the kinks will be worked out when software upgrades are available. Got it on sale so for $129.99 is a decent price to me for what it does. Glad it got it and love watching my son argue with alexa bc she cant understand his toddler language yet. (Priceless)

I really liked the fact that when making a video call on whatsapp (didn't use messenger) you are getting the feeling like the camera is tracking you (they did amazing job). Camera quality is superb, screen is pretty good, speaker is good also. I use it mainly as a digital frame (I didn't like the fact that you must have a facebook account to use it as a digital photo frame, and also you cannot set a picture to be screened by just selecting it, it will be randomly choose). In overall i would give it 3.5 stars, as it have very limited functionality, no built in youtube app, but I must take into consideration that it does perfect what it was intended to do, and thats video calling, plus the price is not that bad, hence the 5 stars.

This portal was highly recommended by my sister-in-law, so I thought I would give it a try! I was a little skeptical when I realized you have to have a Facebook account, because I did not have - nor want - Facebook! But I was tired of trying to use our phones to Facetime on that little screen . . . so we actually bought a Portal for ourselves and each of our two children that have grandchildren! They are WONDERFUL! The picture is very clear; the volume and voices are great; several people can be in the picture at once and you can come and go and no one has to hold the Portal! (As far as Facetime - I now have an account, but I only have my immediate family accepted for access on the Portal; AND we love the fact that you can easily slide the little button on the top to close off the camera and microphone! Of course, you can just unplug it!)

The verdict is in...this is a must have product in every house that does video calling. The camera is top notch, and I love that it follows me around while I'm hands free! I don't have to hold this device at all. Everyone i know has facebook or whatsapp and it was so easy to make the calls. The music, and entertainment features are great when I need to have some sound in the background, or want to pull up a show on netflix. I also tried using Zoom on this and just WOW, game changer for those that are working from home. Everyone in my conference call was blown away on the video and sound quality. Also, did I mention how affordable this is? highly recommend this! I know folks are skeptical of Facebook because of privacy, but I trust this device and delivering on what it says it does. If you aren't a bad person than there really isn't anything you should be afraid of. Did you trust Amazon, Google or Apple the same way? At the end of it all this device has made video calling with family and friends so easy! it's helped me stay connect with friends and I'm definitely going to be using this for work calls as I continue to work from home.

I got this for my elderly mom. Meta is phasing this out. At one time my mom could say "portal call ann"...but that feature has been disabled. Now my mom needs to use touchscreen. This was the best device on market for seniors, but many of the great features have been discontinued. Fb messenger is still fairly easy to use with touchscreen. I do not think it's worth the price of this dying device.

Value for money...

The product is excellent. What I did not like was that I specifically ordered this item from Amazon Australia as I expected it would have a factory fitted AU plug. It came from the USA with their non compatible plug. I then had to source an adapter. This is not acceptable, those adapter plugs are loose fitting and never as good as the dedicated plug and its another item to be lost or mislaid. The AU site should have stated the item as being sourced outside AU with a non compatible factory plug. That fact may or may not have affected my decision to purchase from Amazon. The delivery time and product was excellent just disappointed no transparency in as above

Que es el modelo exacto

Bought it for my parent to join zoom for church service. It is easy to use, They like it.

The Portal is an amazing piece of kit. I would not be without one. All my family have one now too.