Facebook Portal, Plus, TV and Mini in the Review overview & comparison

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Conclusion: Facebook portal – price-performance recommendation of the editors

There are already some smart speakers on the market, so new devices have to offer special functions in order to assert themselves in the competitive market. The strengths of Facebook Portal are clearly in the camera functions. The automatic camera tracking and the large wide-angle lenses actually draw the user into the action in ehealth chats. Facebook Portal Plus is the most fun with its rotating display, in which the user can choose between landscape and portrait mode.

Facebook Portal, Facebook Portal Mini and Facebook Portal TV (from left to right)

(Facebook) 

Unfortunately, anyone who believes that a Facebook portal device can provide a range of functions such as an Echo Show or Google health home Hub is wrong. Facebook has integrated the voice assistant Alexa, but the same range of functions is not available, for example ehealth streaming from Netflix is ​​missing. Facebook's own voice commands are usually limited to communication via Facebook chat or WhatsApp.

Add to that the distrust that Facebook has awakened many users due to its data protection scandals in recent years. Even if the camera and microphones can be switched off, Facebook gets eyes and ears at the user's site with its portal devices.

Facebook portal family: basic functions of the smart displays

The special features of Facebook Portal and Portal + are the smart optics and the smart sound technology, which can be controlled by an artificial intelligence. Users do not have to worry about camera angles or settings, the camera built into Portal and Portal Plus automatically recognizes people and keeps them in focus even when moving thanks to camera tracking, including automatic zoom. Of course, subjects can also be selected manually, such as pets, so that they come into the focus of the camera.

Smart Sound technology minimizes background noise and amplifies the speaker's voice, even when the speaker is moving in the room. Facebook promises users a feeling of communication as if the protagonist of the ehealth call had a personal sound and camera team around them.

An overview of other special features of Facebook's Smart Displays:

• Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp telephony: Facebook Portal users can call Facebook friends and connections in Messenger, even if they do not have their own Facebook Portal device in use. The calls are then z. B. done via smartphones and tablets. Calls made via WhatsApp are encrypted end-to-end.

• Group calls: With Facebook Portal devices, conference or group calls with up to seven people are possible at the same time.

• Voice control and Alexa: Facebook Portal Smart Displays offer free-hand voice control. Users can start ehealth calls by e.g. For example, simply say: "Hey Portal, call Erika". Amazon Alexa also offers all the options of Amazon's voice assistant, such as controlling Alexa-compatible smart health home devices and assistance functions such as keeping lists or the popular Alexa skills.

• Augmented reality: Facebook integrates augmented reality (AR) effects into its intelligent screens. In a story-telling mode, e.g. B. the text of the story via teleprompter and the user can use the Story Time function to add certain sound effects to certain locations. In addition, the screen is given a frame and the narrative voice is changed depending on the spoken person. In addition, AR effects are also available in a photobooth function, but Facebook Portal TV is still excluded here.

• Slideshow mode: Once you're not on the phone, Facebook and Instagram photos can be shown in slideshow mode. Alternatively, the device also displays reminders of birthdays or people who are currently available for communication online.

Facebook Portal Plus – functions and special features, editor's assessment

Facebook Portal Plus in landscape mode – the largest smart display in the Facebook Portal family

(Facebook) 

Facebook Portal Plus is the largest smart display in the portal series. With its 15.6 inch display, the device is the most fun in terms of ehealth functions. However, the massive base requires a lot of space, so that the device looks a bit chunky on the desk. The camera resolution is 12.5 megapixels. The wide-angle detection range of 140 degrees is the largest among Facebook smart displays.

Facebook portal can be operated both vertically and horizontally. The user then simply rotates the screen from the vertical to the horizontal position. For personal ehealth chat, we recommend portrait mode, if you want to show something or demonstrate in the room, landscape mode can show its strengths. Facebook Portal Plus also offers the loudest sound in the audio area. The device provides a total of 15 W and thus offers room-filling sound.

Facebook users who are looking for an intelligent ehealth chat display are at the right place with Facebook Portal Plus. The autoframing, in which the camera automatically tracks the subject and stages it, gives the feeling of having a professional cameraman as an assistant.

Facebook Portal Plus – important tests and ratings

Testers see the large Facebook Smart Display Portal Plus as a successful device for ehealth chats. The room-filling sound surprised in practice, but the stand was perceived as a bit big and chunky. (Status: 09/2019)

• The tech portal The Verge awarded the Smart Display Facebook Portal + the Review rating 6 out of 10. (As of: 11/2018)

• The portal's technical experts tom’s guide spoke against the smart display after testing Portal +, as other solutions were more versatile. (Status: 01/2019)

• In the Review of the technology portal c | net Facebook's Smart Display Portal Plus achieved a Review rating of 6.5 out of 10 (3 out of 5 stars). (As of: 11/2018)

• In the Review of Mashable Facebook Portal Plus gave the rating 3.0 out of 5 (status: 12/2018)

Facebook Portal Plus – price and availability for the large Smart Display

Facebook has set the MSRP for the Smart Display Facebook Portal Plus at $ 279. The device is not yet available in Germany. (Status: 09/2019)

Facebook portal 2019 – functions and special features, editor's assessment

Facebook Portal Mini displays images from the Facebook account in standby mode

(Facebook) 

Facebook Portal 2019 is the Facebook standard model, which allows a good optical operation with its 10 inch display and 114 degree wide-angle camera. As with the other devices, Facebook attached great importance to a good communication experience. In comparison to the Portal Mini, which – apart from the smaller display – has a similar configuration, we recommend the standard model. Background: The larger the screen, the better the Smart ehealth Calls come into their own.

With its 10 watt stereo sound, Facebook Portal can also convince. An integrated woofer ensures good bass. Unfortunately, the smart ehealth calling function of the portal devices is limited to Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. Despite the integrated Alexa, Facebook's portal devices are not Alexa displays that offer the same range of functions as Echo Show or Echo Show 5.

Facebook portal – important tests and ratings

Facebook launched Facebook Portal in a new version in September 2019. The tests listed refer to version 2018. (Status: 09/2019)

• The online portal The Verge awarded the Smart Display Facebook Portal 2018 the Review rating 6 out of 10. (As of: 11/2018)

• The portal experts tom’s guide After testing Facebook's Smart Display Portal 2018, were of the opinion that other devices would offer more performance here. (Status: 01/2019)

• The renowned technology portal c | net awarded the Review rating of 6.5 out of 10 (3 out of 5 stars) after the Review of Facebook's Smart Display Portal 2018. (As of: 11/2018)

• The testers from Mashable Facebook's Smart Display Portal 2018 awarded the Review rating 3 (possible maximum: 5). (As of: 12/2018)

Prices and offers from Facebook Portal

Facebook portal is not yet available in Germany. In the United States, Facebook has set the MSRP for the Smart Portal at $ 179. (Status: 09/2019)

Facebook portal and portal in comparison – technical data of the smart displays

Facebook portal or portal plus? In practice, the Portal Plus is more fun. The large screen and the ability to rotate the screen make ehealth chats an experience – provided that the chat participant (s) also have a Facebook portal device.

Facebook Portal Mini – functions and special features of the ehealth chat display

Facebook Portal looks like a picture frame and thus integrates well into the living environment

(Facebook) 

With Facebook Portal Mini, ehealth chat friends have an affordable entry-level device at their disposal. For just under $ 130, interested parties can get an intelligent 8-inch display with integrated Alexa. Facebook did not save on the equipment even with its smallest portal device. Many manufacturers use the red pencil in their entry-level devices for audio equipment. Like Portal 2019, Facebook Portal Mini also has a 10 watt stereo system with woofer.

Facebook Portal Mini – important tests and ratings

Since Facebook Portal Mini is not yet available, there are no tests or ratings available for the smart display.

Prices and offers from Facebook Portal Mini

Facebook has set the MSRP for Facebook Portal Mini at $ 129. When the device will come to Germany is currently still unclear. (Status: 09/2019)

Facebook Portal TV – functions and special features

Facebook Portal TV is aimed at everyone who wants to use the TV for ehealth chats

(Facebook) 

Facebook Portal TV occupies a special position among Facebook Portal devices. The device does not have its own display, but consists of a camera-microphone unit that is smart health connected to the television. The television then takes over the function of the display and the sound reproduction.

Thanks to its compact dimensions, Facebook Portal TV can be placed discreetly above or below the TV. Especially older people who don't feel like dealing with a smart display will find an easy-to-use and install ehealth chat solution in Facebook Portal TV. The contact with the children and grandchildren no longer has to be broken due to the physical distance.

Facebook Portal TV – important tests and ratings

Since Facebook Portal TV is not yet available, there are no detailed tests or customer reviews. (Status: 09/2019)

• The tech portal TechRadar Facebook Portal TV has already had a hands-on Review. The testers saw the device as a niche in the TV ehealth conferencing market for private individuals. (Status: 09/2019)

Prices and offers from Facebook Portal TV

Facebook has set the MSRP for the Facebook Portal TV ehealth conferencing system at $ 149. The start of Germany is not yet certain. (Status: 09/2019)

Facebook Portal Mini and Facebook Portal TV in comparison – technical data

While Facebook Portal Mini is more aimed at a target group who want to buy a full-fledged display at an affordable price, Portal TV is aimed at users who focus on the television. Both devices have their authorization and offer Facebook and WhatsApp users an excellent ehealth chat experience.

Facebook Portal Devices FAQ – Answers to important questions

Facebook Portal Plus offers a 15 W stereo audio system with woofer

(Facebook) 

If you are considering buying a Facebook portal device, you should note that the entertainment offering is still very much geared towards the US market. In addition, the native portal hands-free voice commands are currently only available in US / Canada English. Anyone who wants to use voice to instruct a smart portal display to call a Facebook friend must do so in English. Other languages ​​should follow. (Status: 09/2019)

Which streaming services are currently supported by the portal devices? (Status: 09/2019)

• Supported music streaming services: The Facebook portal devices support Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio and iHeartRadio Family.

• Supported ehealth streaming services: Amazon Prime ehealth, SHOWTIME, CBS All Access, Starz, Pluto TV, Red Bull TV and Neverthink

How does Facebook ensure privacy on its portal devices?

• Uncomplicated security settings for privacy and security

• Switch off the camera and microphones using a unique switch or slider

• A red LED in the immediate vicinity of the camera lens indicates whether the camera and microphones are switched on or off

• The camera lenses can be physically closed with an integrated cover

• The artificial intelligence for the camera functions is located locally on the Facebook portal Smart Display and not on a Facebook server

How does Facebook Portal record?

More information about smart displays

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