Facebook launches Portal and Portal+ video call devices

[HEXUS]

They deliver convenient video calling thanks to an AI camera that follows you as you move.

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[mtyson]

“The fact that Facebook made it - and integrated Alexa, an Amazon device that has already betrayed users’ trust multiple times - really seems like a bold and questionable move,” said Ruby Gonzalez, Communications Director at NordVPN. “Facebook has failed the public time and time again, with Cambridge Analytica, Russian electioneering, and the big recent data leak. It’s hard to imagine anyone with a shred of concern for their privacy and online security spending a couple of hundred bucks on a ‘smartish’ camera any time soon.”

[spacein_vader]

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The worst thing about these isn't the waste (a £200 display that only does one thing that your phone/tablet does already,) or the privacy issues (its Facebook, really think that mic is off?) It's the fact that it encourages the heresy that is vertical video!

[Ttaskmaster]

The worst thing about these isn't the waste It's the fact that it encourages the heresy that is vertical video!

No, it's the fact that you don't get an Orange hole and a Blue hole, through which you can get a cake delivered.
One might go so far as to say that, with this particular Portal, the cake really is a lie!!

[Saracen]

I think most regular users here will have no difficulty predicting my reaction to this, or the chances of me ever using one, let alone buying one.

[Iota]

I think most regular users here will have no difficulty predicting my reaction to this, or the chances of me ever using one, let alone buying one.

I don't even use Facebook, probably for some of the same reasoning. I definitely wouldn't touch this with a barge pole.

Considering recent events that have come to light in terms of data etc, I feel entirely justified in choosing not to touch Facebook.

[peterb]

Hmm - interesting...

Not.

My FB use is rapidly declining - and WhatsApp/Telegram/Facetime offer all the video messaging I need.

[Saracen]

I don't even use Facebook, probably for some of the same reasoning. I definitely wouldn't touch this with a barge pole.

Considering recent events that have come to light in terms of data etc, I feel entirely justified in choosing not to touch Facebook.

Exactly ditto. I'd be surprised if oyr reasons weren't highly similar, perhaps identical.

[philehidiot]

I am very tempted to buy one and have the camera pointing at a picture of my hairy backside constantly.