Facebook Portal Go Review: Is It Worth It?
The Facebook Portal Go: A New Approach to Smart Displays
From the beginning, the Portal series has faced a central inquiry: what is its purpose? The initial question wasn’t regarding Facebook’s motivation for creating it, but rather, why consumers would choose it over established offerings from Amazon and Google in the smart assistant and display markets.
Original Features and the Competitive Landscape
Initially, the Portal distinguished itself through smart panning, utilizing object detection to dynamically reframe subjects within the camera view. This was an innovative feature, though not necessarily compelling enough to sway buyers away from competing products. However, Google, Amazon, and Apple have since incorporated similar technologies, diminishing Facebook’s unique advantage.
Introducing Portability: A Unique Selling Point
The Portal Go doesn’t resolve the fundamental question of its overall value, but it does reassert Facebook’s capacity for innovative thinking by introducing portability. This is a feature surprisingly absent from competitor’s products. Amazon discontinued its portable Tap speaker some time ago.
Alternatives are limited to Alexa-enabled Fire tablets or third-party devices. The typical approach from Amazon and Google involves deploying devices throughout the home. The potential benefits of a battery-powered model have long been a point of consideration.
Design and Build Quality
The Go was specifically engineered for portability, featuring an integrated handle. At three pounds, it’s relatively lightweight compared to devices like the recently released 4.7-pound MacBook Pro. Is a portable smart screen a necessity? Perhaps not more than any smart screen at all, but the added flexibility is significant. Being able to easily move the device during video calls is a genuine benefit.
Charging and Power
A built-in battery and wireless charging capability are central to this portability. The wireless charging relies on a proprietary three-pin pad with a USB-C connection. The charger design is perhaps the most significant drawback. While the wireless design allows for easy pick-up-and-go functionality, a wired charging option would enable faster battery replenishment. Ideally, a magnetically attaching charging pad would simplify the charging process.
Display and Camera Specifications
The device features a 10-inch touchscreen with a 1280 x 800 resolution. This is adequate for most tasks, including video conferencing and viewing short videos on Facebook. It’s paired with a 12-megapixel front-facing camera and a four-microphone array. While it won’t rival dedicated teleconferencing setups, it’s suitable for family calls or occasional work meetings.
The rear of the device is covered in fabric and houses two rear-facing speakers and a woofer. The audio quality is somewhat muffled and not ideal for regular music listening, but functional in a pinch.
A Unique Aesthetic
The Portal Go is bulkier than many smart displays, with rounded corners and a substantial bezel, all wrapped in a fabric covering common in home products. The design blends elements of Echo or Nest-style devices with a more child-friendly aesthetic, lending it a degree of durability.
While not ruggedized, it’s likely to withstand accidental bumps and knocks better than some competitors, like the Nest Hub. This, combined with available storybook content, may make it particularly well-suited for households with young children. A physical shutter covers the front-facing camera, offering privacy. The microphone can also be disabled via a dedicated button.
Facebook Integration and Features
The Portal Go excels at Facebook calling. Simply say, “Hey Portal, call [contact name],” and the device will confirm the correct person. This is the core strength of the product, designed specifically for conversations through Facebook Messenger. Filters, shared video viewing, and interactive storybooks enhance the experience, leveraging Facebook’s software ecosystem.
Shared Experiences and App Limitations
Shared storybooks are particularly useful for remote connections between grandparents and grandchildren. The available filters in Messenger are basic, offering humorous effects but lacking advanced features. Performance can be affected by slower Wi-Fi connections, potentially causing lag during video playback.
Beyond Facebook’s suite of apps, the selection is limited. Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, and Pandora are supported. The Go functions as a portable Bluetooth speaker with a built-in display. It can also be used for music playback, with the camera turned off.
Teleconferencing and Connectivity
The device supports Zoom, WebEx, and Blue Jeans for teleconferencing. While not exhaustive, this covers a significant portion of common work meeting platforms. The ability to move the device freely without being tethered to an outlet is a key advantage.
Final Thoughts
The app selection outside of Facebook is minimal, with news and cooking apps available, and YouTube accessible through the browser. Netflix and similar services require browser access. Ultimately, the Portal Go is most appealing to users heavily invested in the Facebook ecosystem.
Currently, there is no direct competitor to the Portal Go in terms of portability. While it doesn’t fully address the broader questions surrounding the Portal line’s value proposition, it does successfully tackle the issue of location.
