Meta Portal - Smart Video Calling For The Home With 10” Touch Screen Display - Black

When our Portal is working, it’s a great device. We use it to communicate with our kids and grandkids.We really like the wide angle camera that easily shows both my husband and myself, while being totally hands free.The special effects are fun and definitely our grandchildren’s favorite part.We also use the Pandora app and are very pleased with the sound quality.We have had trouble off and on with our image not showing up on the other end of the call. We often fade in and out, even though the Internet service is strong on both ends.Also, after putting in many photos for the portal slide show, the device crashed and we had to go back to the factory settings and start all over.The one design complaint, is that it has to be plugged in to use. So if you want to ... MoreWhen our Portal is working, it’s a great device. We use it to communicate with our kids and grandkids.We really like the wide angle camera that easily shows both my husband and myself, while being totally hands free.The special effects are fun and definitely our grandchildren’s favorite part.We also use the Pandora app and are very pleased with the sound quality.We have had trouble off and on with our image not showing up on the other end of the call. We often fade in and out, even though the Internet service is strong on both ends.Also, after putting in many photos for the portal slide show, the device crashed and we had to go back to the factory settings and start all over.The one design complaint, is that it has to be plugged in to use. So if you want to change location while talking, you have to unplug the Portal, which hangs up the call, and then move and plug in again, then call back the person you were speaking to.

Ease of use is the only thing holding this back from being a complete 5 star device.- Plugging in (Downward shaped plug forces bottom plug.) FB should reduce the power requirement here.- Connecting to the Internet. Basic find signal and enter password.- Update. A whopping 15 minutes.- Logging in. This needs a simple registration form so Grand Parents can get in easier.- My wife's FB account took at least 5-10 minutes before contacts fully loaded.Overall once in, and the Portal I found somewhat institutive. I can think of tons of features I would love to see. Especially from picture albums. Ideally something my Grand Parents can easily log into Instagram and pick who they want to see in their screensaver mode.The video following is simply amazing. Meaning you ... MoreEase of use is the only thing holding this back from being a complete 5 star device.- Plugging in (Downward shaped plug forces bottom plug.) FB should reduce the power requirement here.- Connecting to the Internet. Basic find signal and enter password.- Update. A whopping 15 minutes.- Logging in. This needs a simple registration form so Grand Parents can get in easier.- My wife's FB account took at least 5-10 minutes before contacts fully loaded.Overall once in, and the Portal I found somewhat institutive. I can think of tons of features I would love to see. Especially from picture albums. Ideally something my Grand Parents can easily log into Instagram and pick who they want to see in their screensaver mode.The video following is simply amazing. Meaning you can put this device almost any where. No worries or concern about being seen in a video. Handsfree. Place in an open area that you would sit or stand frequently. And bam this device will follow you and zoom in/out.

The software is fine (although glitchy) and they are constantly updating it (which is good and makes sense because it’s still a new-ish product). But the actual hardware, the portal itself is awful. I’m genuinely curious if the designers ever used a webcam before making this. You can’t tilt it and it falls over so easily. Regardless if I’m in the kitchen or (99% of the time) on a couch I have to prop it up to angle down and so it won’t fall over (which it falls over very easily). When my family uses it, kids are running around and again, you can’t swivel it easy enough. Sure, the camera does have a very wide angle and it’s impressive at how wide you can see things but, it doesn’t mean the people you’re talking to can see you. Bottom line, I recommend it because it’s ... MoreThe software is fine (although glitchy) and they are constantly updating it (which is good and makes sense because it’s still a new-ish product). But the actual hardware, the portal itself is awful. I’m genuinely curious if the designers ever used a webcam before making this. You can’t tilt it and it falls over so easily. Regardless if I’m in the kitchen or (99% of the time) on a couch I have to prop it up to angle down and so it won’t fall over (which it falls over very easily). When my family uses it, kids are running around and again, you can’t swivel it easy enough. Sure, the camera does have a very wide angle and it’s impressive at how wide you can see things but, it doesn’t mean the people you’re talking to can see you. Bottom line, I recommend it because it’s a great hands-free way to free up one of your devices (phone, laptop, etc) and I like how it “follows” you. But, it’s VRRY glitchy and the hardware itself blows.