Portal From Facebook Is a Video Calling Unit With Alexa

If the cold, impersonal interactions through Facebook aren’t fulfilling your need for human connection, there’s hope… from Facebook. Portal from Facebook is a video calling unit that boasts Amazon’s Alexa and a bevy of features. The device follows the action, so you can call and talk to friends and family while you roam the room. That means you can cook and talk, work on projects they can see, and live your life freely while conversing. You connect through Facebook Messenger and can even share content and display photos. You can upgrade to Portal+ ($349) for improved sound quality and a larger display, which makes more sense for services like Spotify, Pandora, and iHeart Radio. And, if you’re wondering, you can completely disable the camera and microphone with a tap, and Facebook promises it won’t listen, view, or keep the contents of your calls. Hey, Facebook’s earned your trust, right? Still, it sounds like a helpful piece of tech.