Facebook Portal Mini 8” (2nd Gen), Facebook Messenger Video-Call Device w/ Alexa Built-in (White) $99 Delivered @ Facebook

122

Facebook Portal Mini 8” (2nd Gen), Facebook Messenger Video-Call Device w/ Alexa Built-in (White) $99 Delivered @ Facebook

thebadmachine on 22/11/2020 - 16:32 portal.facebook.com (344 clicks)
Last edited 24/11/2020 - 20:48 by 1 other user

Warning: Need to have genuine Facebook account to use this device.
New accounts may be banned after signing into the device according to this review (and Facebook support ignores you).
(Review 2, Review 3, Review 4 )

Notes: Alexa Built-in is limited in ability compared to Amazon Echo products. User experience / features are affected when using with WhatsApp account only.

“Requires wireless Internet connection and Facebook or WhatsApp account.”

“Some features, including "Hey Portal", Facebook Watch, Facebook Gaming, Facebook Live and display settings aren't available when you set up your Portal with WhatsApp only or when a WhatsApp-only login exists on a shared device.”

Same as previous cheapest ever deal (also was White only).

- Portal Mini 8 inch (White) $199 $99 Delivered

Smart Camera (13MP - 114° field of view): Portal Mini's Smart Camera uses AI to keep everyone in the frame – panning and zooming automatically no matter where the conversation goes.
Display (8 inch): HD adaptive screen matches colour and lighting of room
Smart Sound: 4-mic array
Speakers (10W): Front-porting stereo speakers and a rear woofer
Privacy and security: Mic and camera disable switch, integrated camera cover.
Comes with: Alexa Built-in
Dimensions 15.01cm h x 21.46cm w x 12.7cm d (landscape)
Rotation: Works in portrait or landscape
Input: Touchscreen
Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
In the box: Portal Mini, power cord, quick-start guide

- Portal 10 inch (White) $279 $179 Delivered

Same as “Portal Mini” but Display (10 inch)
Dimensions: 17.85cm h x 25.98cm w x 14.12cm d (landscape)

- Portal TV $229 $199 Delivered

- Portal+ $449 $349 Delivered

13.2 Products purchased on the Site may require the use of an active Facebook account. In order to use the Products, a user may be required to log in to the Product with an active Facebook account. In the event the user’s Facebook account is suspended, disabled, or deleted, the Product may not be useable by such user until the user has an active Facebook account again.

Referral Links

Referral: random (452)

$47 in Meta Store credit each for referrer and referee.

Games: 25% off for referees, $7 credit for referrers.

Referral for Apps & Games

Electrical & Electronics Meta Smart Display Voice Assistant

30 Nov 2020

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closed Comments

Manny Calavera on 22/11/2020 - 16:36

+26

Here's an object that has no business existing!
- p1 ama on 22/11/2020 - 16:48
  
  -2
  
  Why? How is it any different to "smart screen" devices from Amazon, Google, Lenovo and others?
  - salamandersushi on 22/11/2020 - 16:49
    
    +2
    
    ..ahh, they're actually semi-useful..
    - p1 ama on 22/11/2020 - 17:09
      
      +1
      
      Man, so many people taking offence, was actually a legitimate question. Isn't this just an Alexa smartscreen?
      - thebadmachine on 22/11/2020 - 18:41
        
        @p1 ama: Amazon’s “Echo” products will have more Alexa function.
        From memory of review this Facebook product with “Alexa Built-in” is limited with Alexa function.
        
        E.g.
        You: “Alexa turn off lights”
        Alexa Built-in: “Ok lights off”
        You: “Alexa set lights to 50%”
        Alexa Built-in: “Sorry, I can’t do that right now”
    - nephilim on 22/11/2020 - 18:01
      
      Whatsapp and facebook is free for large chunks of Africa and SEA when your mobile plan doesn't have credit, it is useful.
      
      Go to free.facebook.com, "free.facebook.com is not available in your country. You'll use data to browse Facebook"
      - TheDukeOfNukem on 22/11/2020 - 18:10
        
        +2
        
        @nephilim: God I miss 0.facebook
- AustriaBargain on 22/11/2020 - 17:30
  
  -1
  
  I dunno, I think video calls have finally got their time. 5G internet, the Coalition has backflipped on letting people choose fiber NBN now too. Every has a Facebook account. This could be good for people who don't want to use their phone or tablet for a video call for whatever reason.
  - chrism238 on 22/11/2020 - 17:49
    
    +7
    
    Far from everyone has a FB account, and their membership is declining.
    - AustriaBargain on 22/11/2020 - 18:18
      
      I guess there's no way of knowing what the West will be like for social media in 20 years. But this product is only for use over the next few years.
- rizza on 23/11/2020 - 11:48
  
  This is an exciting product!
  
  I am also looking out for their upcoming emoji sender. It has a finger sized display to view emojis and swipe for contacts.
  
  I think their overall vision, is that mobile phones are jack of trades master of none! Which I agree with!
nubzy on 22/11/2020 - 16:41

+21

(profanity) Facebook
- Clarky77 on 22/11/2020 - 18:09
  
  +1
  
  I'll second that
ktvibes on 22/11/2020 - 16:46

+8

Good of you to put the warning of accounts being both required and often banned - the same issues are plaguing the new Oculus headsets which turned me off buying one completely.
- thebadmachine on 22/11/2020 - 17:13
  
  +1
  
  Yes and apparently if you want the full experience unique to Portal (Auto zoom / panning / framing / Face-tracking / voice-tracking etc) you will need to buy at least two (one Portal on each end).
  
  I guess that’s how come the name “Portal” (need one on both ends to work).
  
  Also read on a website review: depending on the device at the other end (Android phone / iPhone model) the video call can have certain issues with lag / low resolution / orientation (I guess this one you can fix by rotating the portal).
Mechz on 22/11/2020 - 17:06

+4

Why would you buy this when you probably already own a tablet, laptop or phone that will do the same job?
D33bz on 22/11/2020 - 17:09

+7

Yeah, nah (expletive) faecesbook
j0hnd0e on 22/11/2020 - 17:15

+1

I'd go for a nest hub (google) or echo show (amazon) instead. Facebook is shit.
- AustriaBargain on 22/11/2020 - 17:31
  
  I'd buy a real tablet. Those devices aren't quite real tablets, which is what people expect of them the first time they buy one.
finnthecheapskate on 22/11/2020 - 17:15

+1

I wish they would give portal tv a decent discount
- thebadmachine on 22/11/2020 - 17:17
  
  Yes I added the crossed out prices to the links so you can see the discount.
  
  Only “Portal Mini” is half-price discount.
picogary on 22/11/2020 - 17:31

+1

My mother has one of these (10 inch) and she uses it to chat to grandkids living overseas.
With a portal at both ends, it really does work well - the panning/face tracking is great and the kids love the filters they can play with.
If you’re not concerned about a FB device in your living room, I can recommend giving it a try.
There is a hardware switch that blocks the camera, I’m not sure about the how much it is listening to you all day though.
Personally, I don’t even have a FB account ;)
- thebadmachine on 22/11/2020 - 17:59
  
  Thanks for sharing.
  
  There is a hardware switch that blocks the camera,
  
  Yes forgot to mention, at least on the small Portal models:
  When you block the camera a red LED in the frame is always on (switch order is: all on / microphone off / mic + camera off, so when you block the camera the light is always on ), annoying you to turn the camera back on.
mskeggs on 22/11/2020 - 17:43

I’ve used a Cisco telepresence system that was set up to demo the technology capabilities, so I can appreciate that better confencing gear makes a huge difference.
But this looks like it could be a stranded device in six months if Facebook decides it is no longer worth supporting.

I hate gear that requires online accounts to work at all.
dcep on 22/11/2020 - 17:55

portal tv was 169 last year end sales , hoping a better deal than 199
darthsparrow on 22/11/2020 - 18:12

+1

New accounts may be banned after signing into the device according to this review (and Facebook support ignores you)

Paying $99 to the criminal enterprise, only to be treated like a criminal is… criminal.
- thebadmachine on 22/11/2020 - 18:57
  
  +1
  
  … aren't available when you set up your Portal with WhatsApp only or when a WhatsApp-only login exists on a shared device.
  
  This sounds greedy.
  
  I translate it to:
  “You must setup & connect your Portal to a smart-phone with the Facebook App installed and signed in to have fully functional Portal.”
  “If we detect any device signed in with WhatsApp-only we will block features on your Portal.”
[Deactivated] on 22/11/2020 - 18:13

Hmmm the “bargain” begins with a detailed warning and several reviews declaring of such.

Not exactly the best way to spruik a product…
Wilder94 on 22/11/2020 - 19:05

-1

Be better off with any cheap tablet than this crap, what's with the Facebook account requirements?
[Deactivated] on 23/11/2020 - 00:26

I tested this device before it launched in australia. My review: STAY AWAY. FARRRRR AWAY.

Terrible quality connection, questionable privacy practices, thoughtless app implementation - just a pointless device. If you have a genuine reason for a device like this (staying in touch with grandparents etc) there are MUCH safer options out there…
- thebadmachine on 23/11/2020 - 16:46
  
  I tested this device before it launched in australia.
  
  To be fair, they could have updated the firmware / software and solved some basic software issues / bugs since you tested it.
  (Some issues like genuine FB account requirement are obviously are still there)
  
  I also read somewhere they added “Zoom” video-calling but it is missing from the product page.
JockeyTrader on 23/11/2020 - 06:52

+2

Another Spyware Device…
silvertone on 24/11/2020 - 15:26

I’d be curious about how many of the anti-Facebook posters here still let CashRewards track their activity across the internet?

This was posted 3 years 5 months 17 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.