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Take a look at Facebook Portal, a dedicated Messenger video call hub for your home

It's the first "branded" hardware by the social media giant.

James Martin
James Martin is the Managing Editor of Photography at CNET. His photos capture technology's impact on society - from the widening wealth gap in San Francisco, to the European refugee crisis and Rwanda's efforts to improve health care. From the technology pioneers of Google and Facebook, photographing Apple's Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai, to the most groundbreaking launches at Apple and NASA, his is a dream job for any documentary photography and journalist with a love for technology. Exhibited widely, syndicated and reprinted thousands of times over the years, James follows the people and places behind the technology changing our world, bringing their stories and ideas to life.
Patrick Holland Managing Editor
Patrick Holland has been a phone reviewer for CNET since 2016. He is a former theater director who occasionally makes short films. Patrick has an eye for photography and a passion for everything mobile. He is a colorful raconteur who will guide you through the ever-changing, fast-paced world of phones, especially the iPhone and iOS. He used to co-host CNET's I'm So Obsessed podcast and interviewed guests like Jeff Goldblum, Alfre Woodard, Stephen Merchant, Sam Jay, Edgar Wright and Roy Wood Jr.
Expertise Apple, iPhone, iOS, Android, Samsung, Sony, Google, Motorola, interviews, coffee equipment, cats Credentials
  • Patrick's play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival.
James Martin
Patrick Holland
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1 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal Plus

This is Facebook's new in-home Messenger video chat device Portal Plus, seen in the vertical mode which is intended for one-on-one video chats.

For more about the devices read CNET's first take on the Facebook Portal and Portal Plus.

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2 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal Plus

Flip the 15.6-inch screen to its horizontal position to accommodate a chat with more people and the camera software will automatically pan around the room and follow the action.

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3 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal Plus

The camera uses AI to follow and reframe you no matter where you are during the chat.

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4 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal Plus

Portal Plus as seen from the back with the screen positioned in horizontal mode.

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5 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal Plus

The logo is on the back: "Portal from Facebook."

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6 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal Plus

The cord and power button at the bottom of the Portal Plus.

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7 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal

Facebook's smaller of the two newly announced Messenger video chat devices, Portal.

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8 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal

Portal has a 10-inch screen that sits in a fixed landscape position.

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9 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal

The camera on Facebook's Messenger video chat device Portal.

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10 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal

A rear view of Facebook's smaller of the two newly announced Messenger video chat devices, Portal.

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11 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal

Privacy settings on Facebook's smaller of the two newly announced Messenger video chat devices, Portal.

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12 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal

The Portal and Portal Plus have Alexa enabled and will also run other applications including Pandora and Spotify.

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13 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal

To start a Messenger video call you can either say, "Hey Portal call..." so-and-so or just tap on the touchscreen.

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14 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Facebook Portal

Portal is made to sit on a counter top and will display photos and the time while not being used for Facebook Messenger chats.

For more about the devices read CNET's first take on the Facebook Portal and Portal Plus.

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