TechNews By TOPMAG.PW

Facebook Inc unveiled new models of its Portal video chat devices on Wednesday, making the company’s first foray into TV streaming hardware but offering a limited selection of subscription services.

The launch comes as Facebook is trying to pivot toward more private forms of communication, after years of slowing user growth, data-sharing scandals and calls for change to its hands-off approach to content moderation.

The company is already one of the biggest global players in private messaging, with its WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram apps used by 2.4 billion people each month.

It is keeping the focus of its new Portal line on video calling, adding the capability for WhatsApp calls along with improvements to a wide-angle camera that keeps users in focus as they move about a room.

Facebook is also expanding Portal sales into countries including the UK, France and Australia while lowering prices to more closely compete with industry-leading smart speakers from Amazon and Google that sell for under 100 dollars.

Standard models of the Portal, which ship on October 15, will come in 129 dollars and 179 dollars versions.

The portal TV will cost 149 dollars and hit the shelves on November 5.

Facebook is hoping the social nature of its products will be their selling point, allowing users to watch shows together while interacting via video call on the same screen.

“I think that in a couple years’ time if you have a smart streaming device that doesn’t have a camera allowing you to video call people, you’re not going to have a competitive product.

“I think this is the killer feature for a device like this,” said the vice president of AR/VR Andrew Bosworth.

Bosworth also touted privacy protections like local processing of smart features on the devices, which means most user data, will not be sent back to Facebook servers.

But Portal TV offers only a few music apps and has limited options for TV programming, meaning it could face a stiff challenge in attracting consumers used to content-rich rivals like Apple TV, Netflix and Roku.

At a demonstration in San Francisco on Tuesday, the only way to stream shows appeared to be via Facebook’s Watch app.

Executives said Portal TV would have Amazon’s Prime Video app loaded by the time it is available.

Source: http://topmag.pw/2019/09/18/facebook-unveils-new-models-of-portal-video-chatting-devices/

Good to know.. This guys is going beyond boundaries.. Good one here..

I don't need it

Mark is on the move. No time to check time

Ok

.

Nice one Mark

Meanwhile, I'm available for your online documents and Print-out Slips. Check my signature

Facebook is trying too hard to remain relevant

First to comment.

The world is going total digital!!!!

Okay

Great!

Looking for all possible ways to suck our data....CONTINUE

When are Africans going to start breaking grounds of this magnitude? Please when next you consult a babalawo or dibia, tell him to make you a computer wizard or a tech wizard. Let's start changing the world too. Let's start helping humanity with whatever power we possess.

Mike

People still use that gaming app called face your book?

Fellas it's a setup, no one pretending to be who you are not anymore... By the time Facebook finish with all fraudsters eeerrrhhh.

Make dem do wetin we go use know those running lotto and grant with fake id biko!!

Facebook want to spy on your home. No thanks!

Ekakamba:
People still use that gaming app called face your book?

Not funny

Okay

You must be using Glo network

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