the pandemic has changed many things, not least the way we navigated by staying in touch with friends, family and colleagues under Stay at Home commands.
Never before has the world embraced video calling so collectively, once exclusively a tool for time-poor drivers. But while we work from home to make sure the kids stay on track with distance education, all while we book with friends and family, the tech world has been inventing new ways to make contact with loved ones easier than ever.
One of those companies was Meta, the new name for social media giant Facebook. In the business of bringing people together since it started in 2004, the website has entered the physical technology sphere and launched its first ever product called Portal.
What is Meta Portal?
In the simplest terms, Portal is a camera that connects to your TV and turns it into a video calling device. Say goodbye to blurry images of friends and family on cell phone screens: Portal makes small screen stars of your subjects by projecting your TV in HD as high as your set offers.
The Portal device is full of features that make it feel like your family and friends are in the room with you. Sitting above or below your TV is the next best thing to being physically there.
Bringing people together
In addition to the ability to make one-on-one calls, group calls are also an advantage – useful when your loved ones are far away. As the device connects to your TV, you can even sit together to watch movies and TV thanks to the Group Watch feature.
Family members who missed getting to know pandemic babies can now be part of their night routines. Join story time and enhance their favorite stories with augmented reality (AR) effects, music and animation.
Be in the room
Portal’s biggest USP is its camera. The smart tool provides a 113-degree field of view, adjusts and moves with your subject across large spaces. It even zooms out when someone new enters the room. Whether you’re watching a hyper-toddler or attending a birthday party remotely, take in the bigger picture without lifting a finger.
Seeing the whole room offers a more natural way of dealing with people than being handcuffed to a cell phone or laptop screen. Portal is a huge evolution in smart video calling that brings your favorite faces closer, wherever they are.
Setting up is easy – all you need is a Facebook or WhatsApp account and Wi-Fi.
An invaluable technology solution for teleworking
The more you learn about Portal, the more you discover its potential. With more people taking on distance work, stay on the same business page as your colleagues by hosting meetings and presentations across Portal without the need to enter a boardroom. No more awkward screen sharing or shaky stop-start conversations. Enjoy eye contact with the whole room. Out of office means no more out of the loop.
Freedom of speech with Portal Go
Portal is no one-hit wonder. Meta has since launched a range of sister products that share Portal’s OG features, but with several extra extras. There’s Portal 10 ”, a photo frame screen available in black or white; and there’s also Portal Plus, which boasts a 14-inch HD screen, adjustable tilt and integrated Smart Sound speaker, which increases the ante for video calling.
Then there is Portal Go. The standalone wireless device gives you the freedom to take your video call anywhere in the house – and beyond. The design includes a camera along with a screen, a built-in battery and carrying handle. It is specifically made to pick up and go so you can keep talking while making dinner in the kitchen before sitting down to eat it in the garden. Want to show off your new bathroom design? Count on Go and give friends and family a tour.
Portal Go also serves as a smart assistant and works with Alexa voice commands so you can make calls just by saying it out loud. It can also remind you of tasks and major events, as well as giving you weather and news updates, making it a must-have device for all types of households.
A portal to the future
The pandemic may be in our rear view, but as schedules begin to fill with work and play commitments, Meta’s Portal devices mean we can still stay connected with those who matter most. Filled with useful features and details, Portal helps you keep an eye on the bigger picture.
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