Facebook Portal devices get support for Netflix, Zoom

Source: Facebook

Facebook is updating its Portal devices to add Netflix and Zoom as supported apps. Netflix will only come to the Portal TV, joining other streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and Crave already available on the device. Facebook will be launching a new remote that gives you easy access to Prime Video, Facebook Watch, and Netflix, similar to what Google did with the new Chromecast.

As for Zoom, it'll be launching on the Portal smart displays (Portal Mini, Portal, and Portal+), with support for the Portal TV coming in the future. Zoom can even take advantage of its smart AI camera, which can keep the focus on you even if you move around.

Source: Facebook

Zoom to support Facebook, Amazon, Google smart displays this year

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Zoom is bringing its video conferencing app to smart displays this year. The company will start rolling it out to Facebook Portal first in September, with Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub Max getting support before the year ends. 

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Facebook is reportedly working on a device to take on the Apple TV

We reported earlier last month that Facebook has been in talks with streaming services for a streaming device it's creating. And we now have more details on said product. Variety adds on the report that this Portal device could run a modified version of Android's mobile operating system instead of the purpose-built Android TV OS. It'll also come with a camera for video calls, far-field microphones to detect audio, and built-in speakers. The device will stream content from the likes of Disney and Netflix. And it's going to take on the likes of the Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. Facebook is reportedly even working on some Apple Animoji-like features, allowing you to put a virtual mask over your face right from your television. 

Facebook has been keeping this project secret, going to lengths of using a shell company to submit all the necessary regulatory filings to the FCC. We still ask whether people will be keen to use a Facebook device with a camera in their living room considering Facebook's rep in the privacy space. But for those interested in this product, it looks like it might be coming sooner than we think.

Facebook is reportedly talking to streaming services for its camera-enabled TV streaming device

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It isn’t news that Facebook is still developing Portal video chat devices. It also isn’t news that Facebook is working on a camera-toting device that can double as a TV streaming device. What is news is that Facebook is reportedly trying to get big streaming services onboard. And that the device is expected to be announced this fall. According to The Information, Facebook supposedly approached Netflix, Disney, HBO, and Hulu about adding their subscription services to its hardware.

Disney+ isn’t going to launch until November 12^th in the US, but with a big company that owns tons of popular characters and franchises, it makes sense that Facebook would want to work with them. Netflix isn’t part of either of Facebook’s Portal products either. But now with something that serves as a streaming device, it might be more enticing for Netflix. An important question though is whether consumers will trust Facebook to put a camera in their living rooms and in front of a product they use a lot. That’s a question for another story. But we would like to see how this product turns out.

Source: The Verge