Social Media Giant to Launch Smart Home Camera

Facebook will soon launch Portal, its first camera-equipped smart home device.

15:27 29 September 2018

Facebook is set to launch its first camera-equipped smart home device next week, it has been claimed. One report suggests that the device will be similar to Amazon’s Echo Show smart screen designed to help users easily start video chats with their Facebook friends.  

 

It has been confirmed that the product has undergone various testing for months and Facebook has apparently already opened conversations with major retailers about it. It is expected to have a wide-angle video camera that uses AI to recognise people in the frame and “follow them as they move throughout the room.”

 

The device was set to be launched in May during Facebook’s annual F8 developer conference. However, it was put on hold due to Cambridge Analytica data breach backlash and questions about Facebook’s role in elections.