Facebook Portal Go is now available in India: What is it?

Amazon unveiled a new line-up of Echo smart devices at a hardware event on September 28, 2021. A few days before that, Facebook launched its new line of smart video devices, heating up the competition between the two tech giants. Facebook had a video-calling device already. Now it expanded the range and, more importantly, started marketing the devices to Indian customers. Let’s learn more about this below.  

What is the Facebook Portal?  
The Facebook Portal, simply put, is a cloud / internet connected device which can be used for video calls, offering high quality audio-visual experience. Expanding this portfolio of video calling devices, Facebook launched Portal Go and Portal+. They come in 10-inch and 14-inch display sizes. The Facebook blog said they are also introducing new features, especially with Portal for Business to help small businesses operating from home. Since the device shipments have just started arriving in India, reviews from our country are very few in number yet. But let’s see what other users are saying about it.  

What does the Portal Go feature?  
Portal Go+ features a 14-inch display and the Portal Go features a 10-inch display. Both have batteries that run for a long time on single charge. They have a 12MP camera with an ultra-wide field of view, and sound enhancements to turn the device into a speaker. The interesting feature about the camera is that it automatically frames users even if they get and move about, and the beam-forming microphones captures the voice accurately for whoever is speaking, making it clearly audible over ambience sounds. Fun, interactive AR features of the Portal can also help to keep kids and teens engaged on video calls, which is helpful if they are using it for remote learning.   

How are users categorising the Portal?  
Facebook’s Portal is multi-use. But what are users most interested in? Going through reviews, we realised that most people are using it as a battery powered smart display that is ultra-mobile. Most users have gotten too used to calling friends and family, and even work or schools on mobiles. Those aiming at long hours on video calling are using laptops and tablets. But the battery running out and bad audio-visuals are problems with all of these devices. In that regard, Facebook Portal is definitely an improvement.