Facebook’s range of “Portal” products was designed to give modern consumers a way of connecting more conveniently through an AI-powered smart camera. Portal helps users to stay in the frame with their video conversations with AI positioning, while smart sound technology reduces background noise. While, for the most part, the product is being touted as a consumer solution, we can certainly see benefits for this new tool in the business world.
Recently, Facebook announced a series of new updates to the Portal experience, including the arrival of “Story Time” that brings children’s storybooks to life with augmented features that allow you to change your appearance to match classic characters. However, our main focus is definitely the exciting integration of Workplace by Facebook on Portal.
Making Portal More Business-Friendly
It’s clear that, for now, Facebook wants to address the consumer market with the Portal technology. In the latest update, the company announced the arrival of various new Portal TV features, including sing-along technology for those who love a bit of karaoke and the arrival of photo booth. The Photo Booth feature allows users to add effects and features to selfies snapped on their Portal TV.
However, in the future, it’s safe to say that the Portal device has room to grow in the business world. Aside from new integrations with things like Amazon Prime and Deezer, Facebook also introduced deeper integrations with Workplace on Portal in the last week. This means that you have more opportunities to connect with coworkers through immersive video with your Facebook Portal TV. The Workplace application within Portal allows team members to securely and easily communicate and collaborate with their team members, using familiar features.
All of your preferred Facebook functionality is there, including access to in-depth video calling services, instant chat, and groups. Going forward, Portal could offer many businesses a fantastic way to add easy-to-use video into huddle rooms and meeting spaces. There’s even the possibility that the addition of some of the extra features on Portal could make video meetings a little more fun too.
More to Come from Facebook Portal
Other major updates announced by the Facebook team this week include the ability to start livestreaming from Portal directly to your Facebook profile. You can do this now via Facebook Live, which could be an excellent way for business leaders to share important updates, information from live events and more. All you need to do is open the Facebook Live app and let the Smart Camera start recording. There’s also “Watch Together” on Portal now too.
While Watch Together is intended as a consumer product, it could also be a useful way for teams to watch Facebook broadcasts and useful webinars together in sync with their colleagues and coworkers. Facebook and the Workplace by Facebook team are planning on bringing more new experiences to Portal in the new year. We can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for business users.
