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Facebook Seeks to Place Video Cameras in Your Private Space
Like the Echo, the Portal is powered by Amazon, so advanced features we are used to accessing on our digital assistants are accessed with "Hey Alexa". Facebook's hand in the Portal lies in its main feature: video calls. Available in two sizes, the Portal acts as a centrepiece of connectivity in our homes, enabling users to connect with friends and family seamlessly with great ease.
Video-wise, the Portal has plenty of features that justify the purchase of a separate device. The intelligent assistant is able to track subjects as they move within the frame, which is great for video chatting while going about errands and chores. This works for multiple subjects, so the camera will zoom out to accommodate new participants in the conversation. Background noise will also be reduced, so users do not have to stand close to the device to be heard.
To address privacy concerns, Facebook has made it a point to constantly reiterate the privacy-centric features of their new Portal. For example, the Portal has been deliberately designed to lack a video recording feature, instead, it can only facilitate live video transmission. Facebook claims that they do not listen, view or record any call data. The smart video features are, instead, provided by on-chip, in-device AI technology and does not interact with Facebook data servers. Despite the ability to recognise when new subjects enter the field of view, there is no facial recognition technology involved on the Portal. If any doubt remains, Facebook has included a physical plastic camera cover that ensures an opaque hardware privacy solution.
When not in use, the Facebook Portal can display your Facebook photos and videos and can prompt users when closest friends are available for chat. The hi-fi speakers on board are also powerful, allowing for an immersive listening experience. The larger Portal+ has two tweeters and a large 4-inch diameter bass driver, while the smaller Portal has two 10-watt full-range speakers on board. The 15.6-inch Portal+ has a 90-degree rotatable 1080p display for both portrait and landscape screen orientations. The smaller Portal has a 10.1-inch 720p display that is fixed in a landscape orientation. Both devices have a four-microphone array with 360-degree beamforming input for clear voice transmission even in noisy environments, and 12-megapixel 140-degree angle of view cameras with 8x zoom. The Facebook Portal is available in Black and White finishes, and in Portal and Portal+ variants. The Portal retails at USD 199 (SGD 272), and as a pair with US$100 savings at USD 298 (SGD 487). The Portal+ retails at USD 349 (SGD 477). Preorders in the US begin today, though pricing and availability outside of the US have yet to be announced.
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Yogi
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Joined: 2015-06-25
Senior Member
Posts: 236
Joined: 2015-06-25
#5596317 Posted on: 10/15/2018 09:17 AM
^What he said
^What he said
emperorsfist
Senior Member
Posts: 993
Joined: 2018-08-29
Senior Member
Posts: 993
Joined: 2018-08-29
#5596319 Posted on: 10/15/2018 09:32 AM
Well, good thing I ain't buying any of those...
Well, good thing I ain't buying any of those...
wavetrex
Senior Member
Posts: 766
Joined: 2008-07-16
Senior Member
Posts: 766
Joined: 2008-07-16
#5596320 Posted on: 10/15/2018 09:33 AM
Umm. NOPE.
Umm. NOPE.
KissSh0t
Senior Member
Posts: 7377
Joined: 2011-10-22
Senior Member
Posts: 7377
Joined: 2011-10-22
#5596322 Posted on: 10/15/2018 09:41 AM
Thank you for helping us help you help us all.
Thank you for helping us help you help us all.
Moto_Life
Member
Posts: 72
Joined: 2017-09-18
Member
Posts: 72
Joined: 2017-09-18
#5596326 Posted on: 10/15/2018 10:50 AM
I wouldn't use that if they payed me $350. I only use facebook because my entire family uses it and even then i only use it from the webpage, Refuse to put it on my phone.
I wouldn't use that if they payed me $350. I only use facebook because my entire family uses it and even then i only use it from the webpage, Refuse to put it on my phone.
schmidtbag
Senior Member
Posts: 4696
Joined: 2012-11-10
Senior Member
Posts: 4696
Joined: 2012-11-10
#5596381 Posted on: 10/15/2018 01:50 PM
I usually don't care about companies collecting my data because for the most part, there isn't anything to be afraid of. But even this seems like they've gone a little too far. How does Amazon think this is going to be a success?
I usually don't care about companies collecting my data because for the most part, there isn't anything to be afraid of. But even this seems like they've gone a little too far. How does Amazon think this is going to be a success?
Fox2232
Senior Member
Posts: 9938
Joined: 2012-07-20
Senior Member
Posts: 9938
Joined: 2012-07-20
#5596384 Posted on: 10/15/2018 01:53 PM
There is reason why I have no actual photos on FB or any other social media and evade every photo anyone makes.
Today, software can animate you, lipsync your photo, ... No reason to be next Osama.
I usually don't care about companies collecting my data because for the most part, there isn't anything to be afraid of. But even this seems like they've gone a little too far. How does Amazon think this is going to be a success?
There is reason why I have no actual photos on FB or any other social media and evade every photo anyone makes.
Today, software can animate you, lipsync your photo, ... No reason to be next Osama.
tunejunky
Senior Member
Posts: 930
Joined: 2017-08-18
Senior Member
Posts: 930
Joined: 2017-08-18
#5596435 Posted on: 10/15/2018 03:25 PM
it's amazing how many people think this will make their lives more like "Star Trek", when it will be much more like "1984" (like Wavetrex's screen cap).
yeah i don't think i'll add surveillance inside my home.
it's amazing how many people think this will make their lives more like "Star Trek", when it will be much more like "1984" (like Wavetrex's screen cap).
yeah i don't think i'll add surveillance inside my home.
Katsoc
Junior Member
Posts: 6
Joined: 2018-10-15
Junior Member
Posts: 6
Joined: 2018-10-15
#5596439 Posted on: 10/15/2018 03:43 PM
i think this look pretty cool but it should be cheaper. its not surveilance if uve nothing to hide
i think this look pretty cool but it should be cheaper. its not surveilance if uve nothing to hide
tunejunky
Senior Member
Posts: 930
Joined: 2017-08-18
Senior Member
Posts: 930
Joined: 2017-08-18
#5596447 Posted on: 10/15/2018 03:51 PM
if it's used for prediction or profit it's surveillance.
and just saying...if you are alright with images of you running around the house in your underwear (or less), that's your business.
and if you do not mind being a permanent product tester without compensation...indeed, you're paying to be market research.
finally, i just am not that trusting of corporations as their primary concern is their own bottom line. and as that bottom line is advertising and market research, nah.
i think this look pretty cool but it should be cheaper. its not surveilance if uve nothing to hide
if it's used for prediction or profit it's surveillance.
and just saying...if you are alright with images of you running around the house in your underwear (or less), that's your business.
and if you do not mind being a permanent product tester without compensation...indeed, you're paying to be market research.
finally, i just am not that trusting of corporations as their primary concern is their own bottom line. and as that bottom line is advertising and market research, nah.
tunejunky
Senior Member
Posts: 930
Joined: 2017-08-18
Senior Member
Posts: 930
Joined: 2017-08-18
#5596448 Posted on: 10/15/2018 03:53 PM
...i'm not opposed to the technology, i'm opposed to the application and the lack of an "Off Switch".
...i'm not opposed to the technology, i'm opposed to the application and the lack of an "Off Switch".
RealNC
Senior Member
Posts: 3130
Joined: 2011-11-24
Senior Member
Posts: 3130
Joined: 2011-11-24
#5596452 Posted on: 10/15/2018 03:57 PM
Most people treat 1984 as a warning. FB treats it as an operations manual.
Most people treat 1984 as a warning. FB treats it as an operations manual.
Gromuhl'Djun
Senior Member
Posts: 5437
Joined: 2005-08-05
Senior Member
Posts: 5437
Joined: 2005-08-05
#5596508 Posted on: 10/15/2018 05:45 PM
Heh, who has nothing to hide? I've never met someone like that.
I've met enough people who say they have nothing to hide though, but then don't share their banking information, income, social security number, adress, phone number, they wear non-translucent clothes, and don't want to share all kinds of information with unsavory types.
Those who think they have nothing to hide are either very naïve or incredibly dumb (or both :p)
i think this look pretty cool but it should be cheaper. its not surveilance if uve nothing to hide
Heh, who has nothing to hide? I've never met someone like that.
I've met enough people who say they have nothing to hide though, but then don't share their banking information, income, social security number, adress, phone number, they wear non-translucent clothes, and don't want to share all kinds of information with unsavory types.
Those who think they have nothing to hide are either very naïve or incredibly dumb (or both :p)
tsunami231
Senior Member
Posts: 9925
Joined: 2003-05-24
Senior Member
Posts: 9925
Joined: 2003-05-24
#5596514 Posted on: 10/15/2018 05:54 PM
FB cant even keep there "people you may know" system from spaming people with obviously hacked profiles leading to, adult content and other things, wonder what will happen when the start broadcasting that start having access to said camera's they might start broadcasting that to people... as "vidoes of people you may know"
FB cant even keep there "people you may know" system from spaming people with obviously hacked profiles leading to, adult content and other things, wonder what will happen when the start broadcasting that start having access to said camera's they might start broadcasting that to people... as "vidoes of people you may know"
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Chuck Norris
Posts: 2538
Joined: 2012-02-06
**** no.