📸 Facebook Portal [Generation 1]: Smart Video Calling Device with Hands-Free Alexa Integration Review

Only handles basic Alexa functions. It is very confusing to work with and the voice assistant has to climb the walls. Send him back before I do a lot of damage to him. On the plus side, it has a very good screen. Spend a little more and get Alexa Show.

Collected from Revain dealer. Setup was easy. It was possible to call the device, the quality is excellent. The problem is that the devices do not answer calls. Communicated with tech support they said wait for update in messenger. Waited for it. I have called support again but the calls are still not being answered. It's time to return the money.

I know this product has had bad reviews but so far it's worth every penny of its $149. My father lives 1400 miles from here and has cancer. The joy he felt when he first connected with his grandchildren and spoke via video chat was a phenomenal moment. He giggled and kept repeating how much he loved his Christmas present. Whatever people say about Facebook, thanks for these memories.

Touchscreen not working on my elderly mother. Also the voice command doesn't work with accents and you have to pronounce the words clearly or you won't get an answer. I would not recommend this device until these issues are resolved. Another issue is how to address the device by saying "Hello Portal" to get it to respond. There must be a way to change the command.

Camera + microphone + speakers 10/10. Really good for chatting with family and friends. Need tons of improvements in the Portal App Store, apps like Spotify and Pandora need a premium account. Hey, the combination of Portal and Alexa on Portal is very confusing. Facebook needs to significantly improve the user interface and experience. The returning device is now waiting for the 2nd generation portal.

The Portal camera is great for video calls, but I'm very disappointed that Portal doesn't support viewing from security cameras like Echo Show and other products. When I ask Alexa to show the front door, the portal replies "Sorry, cameras are not supported on this device." like an unfinished device. Alexa's advertising and certification is misleading without mentioning the lack of support.

Pros: - The picture, sound and camera tracking system are excellent, something all communication devices should strive for. - It has Facebook effects so it's fun especially for kids. - Has built-in support for Youtube. Cons: - This is NOT a Revain Alexa device. It has built-in voice capability, but you have to "Call Portal X" to call, "Alexa, tell me the weather" for the rest. - No Alexa video support, don't expect integration with Ring, Prime Video , cameras etc. Not sure if that will ever…

I would never ask or buy anything like that but we got 2 for Christmas. I seriously considered trading it in for something else as I wasn't interested in the FaceBook camera. I decided to give it a try and wow it won me over. We live apart from our entire family and often communicate with them via video calls and this device makes it a lot easier. The camera can follow you during a call and the fact that this is done locally on the device and none of this data is processed by Facebook's servers

***Updated 11/14/18. Packed and sent back to Revane. The device has chosen to disconnect during video calls. #2- As mentioned in my original review, the lack of battery can't help but be frustrating. This one is set up so it can't be moved from one room to another, which you can do with a tablet. save your money It's just a tablet with no battery and an improved camera for Facebook Messenger. That's all. Facebook wanted to compete with others and it was an epic failure. I have to say I was…