Not to mention, stiff competition from the likes of Apple, Google and Amazon have further thwarted Facebook's attempt to stake a serious claim in the fast-growing smart home space.Įven if you're not considering buying hardware from a company still at the heart of continuing privacy concerns, here's what you need to know about Facebook's new line of Portal smart devices, including what it says about how Facebook plans to manage your data going forward. Conversations over privacy have eclipsed sales of Portal devices over the last year, making clear the social networking giant is battling its own reputation for market share. With 2018's Cambridge Analytica scandal still stirring up controversy, Facebook says it has made the Portal more private this year by keeping the microphone and camera turned off by default. Read more: No one should buy the Facebook Portal TV The devices are designed primarily with video calling in mind and are controlled using Facebook's own "Hey, Portal" voice service, as well as via built-in Alexa functionality. They join the first-edition Portal Plus, which has not been updated.
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Facebook announced an update to its Portal line of smart displays this week, including a revamped version of its 10-inch smart display, as well as the addition of a Portal Mini 8-inch display and Portal TV, a set-top device that uses your television as a screen.