1. “Hey Portal” voice command availability varies. With a Portal TV, you can watch videos with friends from a distance. It’s crucial to set up a passcode to keep outsiders from accessing your account. Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Yes, here's how you can use Facebook's messaging app and video-calling devices together. Confirm on your phone, and you’re good to go. Calling from Facebook Portal. These buttons vary a little depending on what Portal device you have, but they are always there. Remember, those with Messenger or WhatsApp can still take calls even if they don’t have Portal or a smart display. Note that many Alexa skills are very passive and will just add new abilities in the background, depending on your voice commands. “Hey Portal” voice command availability varies. You can also use the “Hey Portal” command to control the brightness of the display and activate various camera effects. The main draw of Facebook Portal is streamlining video chats. Learn more. Portal, Facebook's proprietary tablet, is explicitly geared to video chatting with your cadre of Facebook contacts. There’s a small red light by the screen that will show these features are turned off (if the light isn’t on, the mic and camera are). Requires wireless internet connection and Facebook or WhatsApp account. Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. WhatsApp is not available on tablets. Granted, it’s a little weird to use your Portal as a bedtime storybook, but it’s definitely something you should try at least once — and it’s a feature that works with video calls from a distance, which makes it fun for parents on trips or relatives who want to interact with kids. Story Time is a mode that uses filters, face detection, and masks to enable, well, a story. Of course, this is a product from Facebook, so it’s call-making functionality is Facebook-specific. Alexa can connect with many, many smart devices that you may have around your home and control them. Facebook Portal can be used to check the weather, the time, and to call friends. Experience more together with augmented reality. Copyright ©2021 Designtechnica Corporation. Connect your Facebook account. Each smart display has benefits that make it stand out, but Facebook’s Portal includes features that make it ideal for many people. Facebook wasn’t going to be left out of the smart display game. It guides you through read-alongs of popular kid stories and gives you masks and effects that match the story as you go. You can call any other Facebook member in your friends list (via Facebook Messenger), with your call appearing on their phone, tablet, or – if they have one, too – their Portal device. That includes your Messenger contacts, an advantage for those Facebook users who spend more time on the chat app than the social media platform. Facebook brought Messenger Rooms to Portal this year, which allows an audience of multiple callers to enter a hangout space via the Portal. You can also tweak Portal depending on how you want to make calls or get alerts. This is handy because it’ll cycle through the most recent photos you’ve shared on Facebook, but this feature also has a lot of customization options users should take a look at. Learn more. Your Portal will swivel to track you, and will also zoom in or out as needed. There’s a complementary system that works well with this: Find the people you like, talk to on Facebook when you are using Portal, select their name, and select the “i” icon in the window that pops up about them. To place a call, select a Facebook friend's icon on the Portal screen (all of your friends on Messenger will be listed once you set the device up) and say "Hey Portal, call [contact]." Valid on in-stock products only. Requires wireless internet connection and Facebook or WhatsApp account. Adding a couple of accessories allows you to turn your Portal into a central house computer that anyone can hop on when they need to. Learn more. Configure your Portal TV if you haven’t yet. is a social-focused device that encourages video calls and keeps you updated on the latest Facebook news. But in addition to checking out our news section, here’s a quick list of some of Portal’s popular apps: Note that you can download apps onto your Portal at any time by going to the Home section and selecting Apps, which will allow you to easily search and download apps you are interested in. Broadcast from Portal with Facebook Live NEW. By Katie Notopoulos. It’s fairly limited, but you can use it to control any of Portal’s major functions. Anyone on these contact lists can be reached with a Portal. You can ask it to call someone based on their relationship to you, or you can simply give it a name. Offer may be cancelled or modified at any time without notice. Void where prohibited. “Hey Portal” voice command availability varies. Privacy and security are paramount for any data housing service, and Portal is no exception. You can also enable Alexa with many specific data skills or games by browsing through Alexa skills and switching on the ones that you want to use. Portal supports group calls of up to seven people at a time, Facebook … Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Portal has a compromise: It uses Alexa for its voice commands. The best video-chatting device that nobody uses is now a little more palatable for the Facebook-averse. Experience more together with augmented reality. Katie Notopoulos BuzzFeed News Reporter. Currently, Portal calls can only be received on Portal devices, on the Messenger app on mobile phones or tablets, on messenger.com or facebook.com, or on WhatsApp on mobile phones. Learn more. My mother found setting up the Portal to be quite simple, though she wished the little instructional card used a bigger font. She had no issue logging in to her Facebook… Look at the top of your Portal and you will find a single privacy switch that can slide to shut off the microphone and camera on the device. Times Syndication Service. With it, you'll be able to join or host a room on Portal with up to 50 people. And you can have more fun in any call with AR masks, games and more. Get an affordable Bluetooth mouse and a keyboard to go with it, and browsing becomes far easier. Check out these tips for how to get the most from your Portal. User experience may vary. Facebook's Portal smart screen does more than just make calls. WhatsApp is not available on tablets. Copyright © 2021. You can easily set up a four-digit code by opening Settings, then Passcode. The Portal’s camera moves around to follow people in a room, which is a little disconcerting, but nice for having frequent video conversations. In a nutshell, Portal is a video calling hub with built-in Alexa smart assistant that requires a Facebook account to work. WhatsApp is not available on tablets. Portal's smart video chat technology is proprietary to Facebook, making it a perfect option for those with Facebook accounts. With Story Time, you can bring your children's favourite stories to life with music, animation and AR effects. User experience may vary. Video features aren’t guaranteed to work, but the call should go through. Head to Settings, and you will find the ability to set the cycle speed of photos (10 or 15 seconds) and, more importantly, where your photos are coming from. Now you can use Portal's Smart Camera to broadcast live to all your family, friends and fans. Screen images simulated. I have to say, it is pretty darn cool. You can use either Facebook Portal to call your Facebook friends and connections on Messenger or your WhatsApp contacts - even if they don't have a … Users should keep up on the latest apps so they know what they can use via Portal. Facebook updates Story Time with new children’s books from time to time. How to Use Facebook Login on Your Website by Peter Szanto on Social Media Examiner. As mentioned, you can use a Facebook Portal device to access your WhatsApp or Messenger account to make calls. The first thing to remember is that Portal calls will only work if your contact has a Facebook account, or uses WhatsApp. To set this feature up, go to the home screen and tap Settings, then tap Superframe and Photos. Allow website visitors to register with Facebook Login. In order to call a WhatsApp contact from your Portal, th… You can use it to watch videos, play games and find out the local weather, or help you tell children's stories. Requires wireless internet connection and Facebook or WhatsApp account. Broadcast from Portal with Facebook Live NEW. How to get Google to crawl your Google Site or other websites and improve your search performance, How to set up a Skype conference call between Skype users for free, or between non-users for a fee, How to stop Google from tracking your computer and limit its data collection of your online history, not a requirement to have Facebook Messenger, you can use a Portal device to call the contact, Facebook brought Messenger Rooms to Portal this year, What is Portal from Facebook? You can use a … How to use Zoom on Facebook Portal. But you don't need Facebook to use … While the function isn’t exactly seamless, Portal does allow you to search the web with a basic browser. First, go to Settings and choose Incoming Call Settings to see the options. This gives you a lot of options depending on what you actually want to see from Facebook and should be one of the first things you set. Tap on your face twice when you are talking and a square will surround your face, so Portal will know to always follow you. You’ll also need to enter your passcode when you change other account settings. Screen images simulated. Yes, while it may seem counterintuitive, it's a no-go to call Messenger connections that don't have Facebook accounts. 3. Smoking Likely to Increase Risk of Catching C... COVID-19 Likely to Have Long-Term Negative Im... Building Back Better: Five Global Environment... Not all features of the Messenger chat app are available on Portal devices. The reason you’ll use Portal is because it’s the only way you can video-call your WhatsApp contacts. … Superframe, the smart screen itself, is what controls the photo slideshow your Portal displays when not being actively used. For Facebook fans, it has become a serious smart device contender, and you can read what we think about it in our review. How to watch Netflix on Facebook’s Portal TV. Although you need a Facebook account to use the Portal, you can also call your WhatsApp contacts. Your live stream with friends will be in a square in the corner of your TV, and Portal will make sure the video remains synced for both of you. It uses the Facebook Messenger interface, so whoever you call will need to have this option enabled. If you have used an Echo device before, you may have some idea about how Alexa works, but those new to the voice assistant should put some time into learning how it works. If you haven't already, sign up for a free Zoom account online by entering your email and following the prompts.. 2. What is Facebook Portal and how does it work? User experience may vary. No — here's how to use the video-calling devices with WhatsApp and Workplace, How to reset a Facebook Portal if you plan to sell, return, or regift the video-chat device, How to use Facebook Messenger Rooms to video chat with friends and family from any device, WhatsApp is forcing users to share personal data with Facebook, and Elon Musk is urging people to switch to Signal, a smaller encrypted messaging app, 'Big Short' investor Michael Burry predicts Tesla stock will collapse like the housing bubble: 'Enjoy it while it lasts', 'Don't sell a share': Billionaire investor Chamath Palihapitiya says Tesla's stock could triple from current levels, making Elon Musk the first trillionaire, Tamil Nadu govt. But for those who have a Portal or may be getting one soon, we want to focus on what exactly this smart display can do that really sets it apart. Portals also come with a cover that you can use to physically cover up the camera if it’s particularly annoying to you. Power on your Portal TV. The Facebook Portal, Now With 80% Less Facebook. For those who are uneasy about letting a Facebook cam into their homes, the privacy features are a must-learn setting. Valid on qualifying purchases at portal.facebook.com. Whether you want to conceal your appearance or background or make it more festive, Portal has options for you. Start by making a video call with a friend or friends, then use the Facebook Watch TV menu to launch a show. 2. Requires wireless Internet connection and Facebook or WhatsApp account. User experience may vary. Now you can use Portal’s Smart Camera to broadcast live to all your family, friends and fans. 1. The Portal (and the Portal+, Portal mini, etc.) turn back on 100% capacity in theaters, Govt issues norms for airlines to carry Covid vaccine, 'K'taka assured to get 13.90L vials of Covid vaccine in a day or two', PM to meet CMs on Monday over Covid vaccine rollout, Punjab ready to administer Covid-19 vaccine: Minister, Master Business Fundamentals from Wharton. Once your Portal is set up, just say the wakeup phrase ("Hey Portal") and then tell it to call a friend. That means you won’t be able to use any skills that require a display to work, and you won’t be able to use Echo Show abilities like adjusting your lights via a touchscreen. Part of the appeal of Facebook Portal is staying social — even if you’re just watching TV. That includes “Hey Portal, call [contact name]” or “Hey Portal, lower brightness.” You can also say, “Hey Portal, good morning,” to get a report on the weather, scheduled events, news, and birthdays. It’s also important to remember that Alexa doesn’t have a display presence on the Portal. Facebook does keep and may even examine Hey Portal recordings. Portal can also act as an Alexa device – but honestly, none of this really matters. This is handy where there are multiple people milling around and the camera can get confused. Does Facebook Portal work with Messenger? With Portal, you can make and receive calls to and from your Facebook friends and WhatsApp contacts. In addition to Alexa, Portal has its own voice assistant that you can activate by saying, “Hey, Portal.” It’s fairly limited, but you can use it to control any of Portal’s major functions. Try out these features and use them according to your privacy needs. Facebook's Portal smart screen was designed to make people feel like they are in the same room, even when they are far apart. From musical tastes to work history, there are close to 50 different types of permissions you can request from your visitors with Facebook Login. Facebook continues to give Portal app compatibility that allows you to use various apps directly from the Portal interface. ET Tweet Share Copy WhatsApp / BuzzFeed News With a new update today, the Facebook Portal can be used exclusively … We expect competition between smart displays to keep rising, so it will be useful to check for Portal updates. The touch controls get old fast, though. A code will appear on the screen of the Portal. Screen images simulated. Buy now: Portal in Black, £169, Facebook. Fortunately, Portal does have Bluetooth compatibility that extends to mice and keyboards. Posted on December 10, 2019, at 1:26 p.m. This allows you to choose photos from a specific online album, your own Facebook profile, only photos that you’re tagged in, or photos from the friends who are tagged as one of your favorites on Portal. Screen images simulated. Calling on messenger.com or facebook.com is only available using the browsers Chrome or Opera. There is still one thing you can't do, though, and that's receive or make calls from a Portal device. With Story Time you can bring your children’s favorite stories to life with music, animation and AR effects. How to use a Facebook Portal with Messenger Here's a rundown of how Messenger can — and in some cases can't — factor into your Portal experience. Portal will then time out and ask you to unlock it with the four-digit code. You can't call Messenger connections that don't have Facebook accounts. If a Messenger contact of yours has a Facebook account, you can use a Portal device to call the contact. You may prefer to switch on Only When You’re Home, which makes it so calls only work on the Portal when it senses you are around, and otherwise a Facebook call will go straight to your phone. Grab your Portal. Not valid on prior purchases and non-transferable. Another fun benefit of the Portal is that it can move with you during video calls. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. A guide to Facebook's Alexa-enabled video-chatting devices and their features, How to set up a Facebook Portal video-chat device and enable Alexa, Do you need a Facebook account to use Portal? This extra feature is a unique perk with Portal, and there’s nothing else like it (yet). Portal is a series of specialized tablets and video-calling devices made by Facebook that feature an enhanced camera and speaker. All rights reserved. “Hey Portal” voice command availability varies. you can read what we think about it in our review, Save $50 on the 10-inch Facebook Portal at QVC for New Year’s, This Facebook Portal 10-inch just got a crazy price cut at QVC, Amazon just slashed the price of its Echo Show 8 by $50, You can get a compact air fryer for only $100 right now at Best Buy, These are the best cheap video doorbell deals for January 2021, The true cost of a connected home gym is not just in the equipment you buy, These are the best cheap washer and dryer deals for January 2021, The best Instant Pot accessories for 2021, The best Dyson deals and sales for January 2021: Vacuums and Fans, These are the best cheap Amazon Echo deals for January 2021, The best Philips Hue deals and Philips Hue Starter Kit deals for January 2021, Amazon Prime Video, Showtime, and other streaming services, Quick links to popular sites like YouTube, Google, Amazon, AllRecipes, NPR, and Reddit for browsing online right from the Portal, Watch, which is key to playing games on your Portal and a good download for everyone. #1: Choose Which Data to Collect. It gives users a happy medium between the capabilities of Amazon’s Alexa and the social perks of Facebook, plus a wide selection of apps. You can use the device to video chat with friends on Facebook … Then Portal will give you an alert and make a small sound whenever this person is actively using Facebook, which means they’re probably in a good position to take calls. You can link up to seven people with the “Watch Together” feature and view any of Facebook’s Watch video content while running a live stream on the side. Portal users can link their Messenger account to the video-calling device, but not all Messenger features are available. WhatsApp is not available on tablets. Although it may be tempting to collect as much information as you can … Portal supports several video-conferencing apps, including Zoom, although you still need a WhatsApp or Facebook account to use your Portal. And you can have more fun in any call with AR masks, games and more. 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