Facebook is soon launching Facebook Portal, a hardware product which will enable video chat and other social features (apart from content and streaming services like Spotify and Netflix).
The device is designed to work in the home and represents Facebook’s first serious foray into selling consumer hardware, people familiar with the matter said. Rather than position the device as a smart assistant akin to Amazon’s Echo speakers, Facebook intends to pitch Portal as a way for families and friends to stay connected through video chatting and other social features.