With the increase in technology the ability to stay in contact with those far away has become much easier. There are many different methods out there that allow you to video chat with friends and family, but they either required a compatible brand or I was fumbling around with a small screen and camera trying to keep my face in the picture. This led me to look into the Facebook Portal TV.

Facebook Portal TV is a smart video calling device that can make video calls from any TV, with a large field of view that automatically tracks and keeps focus of those in view.

If you want to make video calls without the hassle of a small screen or constantly moving the camera to capture everything, you will want to know more about what Facebook Portal TV can do. In this article we will go over features it has, and how you can use it in your home today, and other Facebook Portal options.

What Does Facebook Portal TV Do?

The Facebook Portal TV can do a lot of things especially with Alexa built into it, but at its core it is a video calling device. What sets it apart though is its ability to automatically track personnel in the video with pan and zoom to make it the ultimate hands-free device. 

Other Facebook Portal TV features include:

  • Group Chat with multiple friends Stream videos with Netflix and Prime video together with your friends. Add filters and backgrounds to the calls. Use Alexa for hands free smart home control.Listen to musicPlay games

The possibilities go on as you turn your living room into your new virtual hangout room with this device. With Alexa enabled on this device it can also work as an all-around smart home controller able to turn any TV into a smart home control center. 

What Do I Need to Use the Facebook Portal TV?

What you need to use the Portal TV is, a Facebook Portal TV device, a TV, and an internet connection, that’s it!

To use the Portal TV, it is as simple as connecting the device to the desired TV via an HDMI and plugging it in. After that you will set up your included remote, connect to Wi-Fi, give your new device a name and log into Facebook. After those steps are completed, you will be ready to start making video calls! 

Compatible Apps for Facebook Portal TV

You may be asking what applications can I use with the Portal TV to further enhance my experience? There are many apps that can be used by all Portal devices and some that are only available on the Portal TV.

Apps Available On All Portal Devices

Available on all Portal devices:

  • Facebook WatchiHeartRadioInstagramPandoraSpotifyWorkplace by FacebookZoom

Now, let’s take a look at apps only available on Portal TV.

Apps Available On Portal TV

Available only on Portal TV:

These listed are just a few of the most popular apps they have available. The option to use any of these apps really opens up the versatility in which the Portal TV can be used. 

What are Other Facebook Portal Product Options?

While the Facebook Portal TV is the main feature here, there are other options available to those who do not feel the Portal TV fits their best interest. There is the Portal, Portal Go, and Portal +, each having a dedicated unit that acts as screen and speaker. 

The Portal 

The Portal is the base model and is a 10” device that has smart tracking video calling and can act as a Digital Picture frame. 

The Portal Go 

The Portal Go is a mobile device that has a dedicated battery and allows for calls to go on the move, still with a 10” display/speaker combo. 

The Portal + 

The Portal + is a 14” HD tilting display with high fidelity audio that can replace any smart speaker. 

Each device has the smart tracking camera for hassle free video calling which is the main attraction for all Facebook Portal devices.

What Are the Device Specifications?

The Portal TV uses some of the latest technology to ensure the highest quality, these include:

  • 12MP Camera with 113° Ultra-wide Field of View8-Mic array to capture soundHD Quality Video and SoundCamera and Microphone Disable buttonsCamera CoverWiFi 2.4GHz and 5GHz for optimal connectionBluetooth 4.2

These specifications create a high-performance device that is fast and reliable with the power of Alexa to make it a whole home smart device capable of being a central hub for all smart home devices.

Conclusion

Now you know what the Facebook Portal TV is, but you may not know if using this device is actually worth it. Check out our article, “Is Facebook Portal TV Worth It?” to find out more.