Due to Meta’s major reshuffle in June, the firm has picked up its Portal smart display for immersive video calling.
Initially launched in 2018, Meta has decided to resurrect its underperforming device as a workplace tool.
Meta Portal uses voice control, along with Amazon Alexa integration, to automatically pan and follow an operator as they move around during a video call.
The device is currently available in various consumer-grade models, and Meta is running an early access scheme for the upcoming Portal for Bussiness version.
What is Meta Portal?
Meta Portal is currently available in four models: TV, 10 Inch, Go, and Plus. Meta designed each model to suit day-to-day video calling needs with enhanced smart features and applications.
The devices all come with Alexa and Facebook Assitant built-in, enabling various smart assistant features for work or personal requests.
Additionally, Portal has various third-party applications compatible with the hardware. Meta includes workplace video conferencing applications like Teams, Zoom, Webex, GoToMeeting, and BlueJeans.
For consumers, Portal also enables essential media streaming services, such as Spotify, Youtube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime.
Meta also includes augmented reality (AR) features for Portal video calls. The device lets users experiment with basic AR filters similar to smartphone applications like Instagram and Snapchat.
Getting the Most out of Meta Portal for Bussiness
Meta is trialling its Portal for Business editions. Teams can sign up for the Menlo Park-based firm’s early access program to potentially try out the video conferencing technology.
The business editions function with Meta Work accounts that enable companies to deploy Portals on a large scale. Meta also provides site managers with Portal Device Manager to support several users.
An example of the Portal device and account management hub PHOTO: Meta
Meta advertises Portal as a hybrid work tool which suits both at-home and office usage. The device contains powerful speakers and microphones for clear communications.
A worker can use a Portal device to organise video conferencing tasks such as sending invites to presentations. The early access business version is only available to US customers and requires a Meta Portal Plus device.
Meta’s New Focus
The news comes after Meta’s June reshuffle caused a major refocus for the technology giant due to a mixed Q1 earnings report recording a 26 percent profit loss, with Meta’s Reality Labs immersive research division losing a further $10 billion in profit.
Now, Meta is slowing Project Nazare’s production, not distributing its Orion smartglasses to consumers, and cancelling its Meta extended reality (XR) smartwatch, although Meta is now promoting its Portal devices following the quarterly losses and doubling down on Portal for Business to resurrect the device.
