What is the Future of “Facebook Portal”?

Last month Facebook launched Portal and Portal+, a device for the home that offers video chat. People can use that device to talk to other portal owners as well as people who use Facebook and Messenger. These devices are equipped with 12 megapixel camera and microphones. You don’t need to sit at one place for video call, its latest AR technology allows the device to follow the movement of the person. Facebook states that the product will be available for shipment in November.

This product has somehow failed to get the instant attention of the users because this news came in same days when 50 million Facebook accounts were hacked and there was a breach of privacy of the account users. Due to this, privacy conscious people are hesitant to try this service as they think this will bring Facebook right into their homes. Facebook can look upon them and what sort of information they will retain from this device and most importantly, the device can be hacked too.

Facebook is trying to calm these people by emphasizing that people can disable their camera and microphones but still people are reluctant to use this service. Facebook has since reached out to change its answer: Portal doesn’t have ads, but data about who you call and data about which apps you use on Portal can be used to target you with ads on other Facebook-owned properties.

Facebook has started taking pre-orders in US. The 10 inch version is of $199 while 15 inch version costs $349. Will this device win the trust of consumers or not? Let’s wait till the launch.