FacebookPortal Mini - Smart Video Calling 8” Touch Screen Display with Alexa - White

This item is wonderful and so needed. No one is allowed into nursing homes being locked down My sister is in a nursing home and with the virus going around, communication is hard to come by. No fault of the home, they are overwhelmed with changing rules and demands of running the place as well as they do. Simple to set up and operate. She just pushes my picture and then video and boom we see and talk to each other. Wifi is of course needed and an outlet. The home made sure it was connected. We are both ecstatic over this little miracle device. Works excellent and life is good. It also has pictures from Facebook to see when not being used as a calling device. Perfect, easy to use and happy people.

Bought this for my 76-year-old mother. Have been looking for a completely foolproof way to do calls and video-conferencing with her. After countless devices thru the years, I can say that I finally found it. The interface is really streamlined and (almost completely) foolproof. With the WhatsApp and messenger accounts properly set up, she simply has to touch on the favorite contacts that rest right on the front screen. One tap to call, one tap to pickup. Can't beat that!If for some reason gets out of the main screen (not as easy to happen as in an iPad) or whatever, it's (mostly) simple for her to get back to square 0. After several months it never had any problem (i.e. logging out, or asking for the user to validate options or updates, that would be an issue for my mother to deal with). For someone that lives far away from their parents, you can understand how this is gold!It beats the iPad (that she also has but barely uses, and is still a continuous training) that ends up having too many possibilities. Same for Alexa's devices that end up having too many options and quickly she can get lost or complicated for someone not used to UXs and smart devices.Aside from the simplicity of the interface, the camera picture qualify is great and the speakers are pretty acceptable. The auto-zoom feature is very useful, however, don't expect this to be like Facetime "in your face".The device has some other possibilities and an app store. Facebook is trying to add more apps to it, but frankly, it seems pretty limited still. It is a shame because it is a very powerful VC device. It has already the GoToMeeting app, and would be great if they could add Zoom.Privacy concerns are warranted. The best you can do is use the physical latch to cover the camera (that also is supposed to shut down the mic). But that is a trade-off that I accepted with my mother's device.I got the Portal TV for my own house (and use the latch) and I am waiting for WhatsApp to release the multi-device feature to buy another one for my Mother.If you want an easy, comfortable efficient way to do Video-conferencing, you use WhatsApp and/or Messenger, this is a great device!

Love this thing! I got it for Christmas from my mother in law, & I Loved it so much I bought one for my parents & one for my grandma. Perfect way to FaceTime loved ones when your hands are full, or if you are busy cleaning the house. Plus the Alexa feature is great too when I want to know the weather, or have her play Pandora while I do the dishes. I also love that it displays your pictures on it as a screen saver. You will not be disappointed. A must get gift for sure.

It’s THE BEST piece of tech nobody talks about, I don’t get it. WhatsApp or Messenger video or audio calls + Alexa + Speaker from any device or computer via Spotify + Tablet mode + YouTubeTV or second screen to any streaming you may have + Zoom-style calls on Messenger Rooms + “show me front door” smart home integration + digital photo portrait etc, etc... and the list goes ON for $100!

I bought this to be able to video chat with an elderly parent hospitalized during this No Visitors time. It is a fabulous device. I set it up from home and then got within range of the hospital WiFi before sending it up to her room. Once set up, it is very easy to use, either with verbal commands or with the touch screen. The CONS to this device - 1) it has to be plugged in at all times, and the cord is fairly short. (We sent it to the hospital with an extension cord.) Caretakers kept moving it to not trip on the cord, so it kept getting put out of her range to reach the touch screen. 2) The WhatsApp feature is very glitchy. It eventually stopped working altogether. Definitely a much better device for just using Facebook Messenger.UPDATE: We’ve now had these devices for 7 months. The device that my elderly mother has has to get rebooted somewhat regularly. Apps and features will freeze. Also, because she forgets how to turn the screen off (which you can only do verbally), she tends to lay it on its face and the screen now has a dark shadow all around the edges. I’m guessing it’s because it overheats when she lays it down. So, while I still like the devices, if your elderly person is getting senile or has dementia, it may not be the device for them.

Enjoy the product. It has a nice picture and good sound.

While I fear that technology is becoming too intrusive into our private lives (and fear that Alexa IS actually listening in - in our house she'd bored senseless), I have to say I LOVE Portal. I can finally see my grandchildren when chatting with them (Oh right, my kids as well). I can't comment on the quality of the tech side, but it is solid and the video is clean and clear. The sound is good and my grands also love it. (If they are watching, this is a good way to do it...)

I bought this so I could video chat with my co-workers more easily and not have to use my phone. It is great for this and I'm very happy with this purchase. During this time of "working from home" it has been very useful! I use both Facebook messenger and What's App for video chats every day. I love how it will "follow" you around the room, if I need to get up during a call. I highly suggest this for video calling over the Amazon Echo.