Facebook is moving full steam ahead with its Portal video chat devices. During a Vox Media event, Facebook exec Andrew Bosworth mentioned that Portal would be bringing additional form factors to market this fall. He didn’t elaborate on the plans, but industry rumors posited that Facebook may be working on a separate camera that could mount on top of a television and use that screen. Bosworth also said that the sales for Portal have been “really good,” but again did not offer any specific numbers.
The Portal hardware, a dedicated device for video chatting and shared streaming music with some voice AI support, was first introduced last October. Facebook has also reportedly been working on its own voice assistant that would expand what its Portal tech is capable of. Facebook has been struggling with privacy controversies in the last two years, and it’s easy to imagine that its camera-based devices could increase scrutiny of the company.