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(Pocket-lint) – Video calling is one of the things that might have been a little debated a few years ago – is this really the way to go? Isn’t it easier to just use your voice?
Well, fast-forward to today and the debate is over. Video is the here and now, an amazing way to connect more personally in conversation with your friends and family or with coworkers and connections. Whether you’re using Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, a quick video chat helps a lot, and there are some decent savings on those early Black Friday sales .
Some of the best video calling experiences available today are offered by Facebook’s own hardware in the form of the portal line. They were designed from the ground up to provide great, seamless systems for visual chat, and to work really well for them. Best of all, you can now make a decent saving.
We thought you might want to know what to choose from and what makes each device special.
US Facebook Portal deals
There are already some good deals on Facebook Portal devices for US readers.
If you’ve considered the Portal Mini because of its design, but are in the mood for more space, be it to see your callers better or to showcase your images more prominently, you’re in luck – the standard portal is really similar, but greater.
With a 10-inch screen, it is also slightly more powerful than the 8-inch version of the Portal Mini in the display area. The loudspeaker is again impressive for its size and, like the Mini, can be operated in portrait or landscape format, depending on your taste. As with all portal devices, there are some fabulous AR tricks for your calls that allow you to wear costumes and filters for maximum fun.
If you’ve considered the Portal Mini because of its design, but fancy a bit more real estate, whether to get a better look at your callers or to show off your pictures more prominently, you’re in luck – the standard Portal is really similar, but bigger.
It’s also a little more powerful in the display department, with a 10-inch screen compared to the Portal Mini’s 8-inch version. The speaker is, again, impressive for its size, and like the Mini you can have it in portrait or landscape mode depending on your taste. As with all Portal devices, it’s also got some fabulous AR tricks for your calls, letting you wear costumes and filters for maximum fun.
If you’ve considered the Portal Mini because of its design, but fancy a bit more real estate, whether to get a better look at your callers or to show off your pictures more prominently, you’re in luck – the standard Portal is really similar, but bigger.
It’s also a little more powerful in the display department, with a 10-inch screen compared to the Portal Mini’s 8-inch version. The speaker is, again, impressive for its size, and like the Mini you can have it in portrait or landscape mode depending on your taste. As with all Portal devices, it’s also got some fabulous AR tricks for your calls, letting you wear costumes and filters for maximum fun.
If you’ve considered the Portal Mini because of its design, but fancy a bit more real estate, whether to get a better look at your callers or to show off your pictures more prominently, you’re in luck – the standard Portal is really similar, but bigger.
It’s also a little more powerful in the display department, with a 10-inch screen compared to the Portal Mini’s 8-inch version. The speaker is, again, impressive for its size, and like the Mini you can have it in portrait or landscape mode depending on your taste. As with all Portal devices, it’s also got some fabulous AR tricks for your calls, letting you wear costumes and filters for maximum fun.
However, when it comes to displays for video calling in your home, you probably already have a large HD screen in your living room – your TV. Facebook’s TV portal is a brilliant way to take advantage of this and turn your TV into a powerhouse for video calls. The camera unit connects to your TV to view the calls, while smart panning and zooming keep you informed even as you move around the room.
And if you want to hide the camera in the private area, you can simply slide it a block in front of it – privacy is an integrated requirement for the portal series.
These offers are marked as limited on Amazon, so there is no telling how long they will last (just don’t make them dirty).
The Best Early Black Friday US Deals 2021: Discounted Sony 1000XM4, Garmin Watches, and More
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When it comes to displays for video calling in your home, though, chances are you’ve already got one big, HD screen in your living room already – your TV. Facebook’s Portal TV is a genius way of harnessing that, and turning your TV into a video calling powerhouse. Its camera unit connects to your TV to display the calls, while using smart panning and zooming to keep you in shot even if you’re moving around the room.
Plus, if you want to hide the camera when you’re in private, you can just slide a block in front of it easily – privacy is a built-in assumption for the Portal range.
These deals are marked as time limited on Amazon, so there’s no telling how long they last for (just don’t dilly dally).
When it comes to displays for video calling in your home, though, chances are you’ve already got one big, HD screen in your living room already – your TV. Facebook’s Portal TV is a genius way of harnessing that, and turning your TV into a video calling powerhouse. Its camera unit connects to your TV to display the calls, while using smart panning and zooming to keep you in shot even if you’re moving around the room.
Plus, if you want to hide the camera when you’re in private, you can just slide a block in front of it easily – privacy is a built-in assumption for the Portal range.
These deals are marked as time limited on Amazon, so there’s no telling how long they last for (just don’t dilly dally).
More early Black Friday offers
• Blink Outdoor camera: Save 44%, now $99.99
• Fitbit Sense smartwatch: $100 discount to $199.95
• Kindle: $49.99 instead of $89.99
• Fire TV Stick 4K: 50% off at $ 24.99
• Samsung TVs: Save 30%
• Echo (4th Gen) smart speaker: Now $59,99 (was $99.99)
• Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones: Save $120 at $179.99
• Echo Show 8 & Echo Show 5: Up to a 45% saving
• Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones: $100 off, coming in at $249
• Echo Dot (3rd Gen): 38% discount to $24.99
• Bose QuietComfort earbuds: Now $199, with a $80 off
• LG NANO90 Series 4K Smart TV: Up to 26% off
• Fire HD 8 tablet: Discounted to $45, saving 50%
• iRobot Roomba j7: 23% off – just $499
• Echo Dot (4th Gen): Now $34.99, down by 30%
• Jabra Elite Active 75t earbuds: 52% saving at $99.99
• Facebook Portal: Now $79, was $179 – 56% off
• Samsung Buds Live: 41% discount, now $99.99
When it comes to displays for video calling in your home, though, chances are you’ve already got one big, HD screen in your living room already – your TV. Facebook’s Portal TV is a genius way of harnessing that, and turning your TV into a video calling powerhouse. Its camera unit connects to your TV to display the calls, while using smart panning and zooming to keep you in shot even if you’re moving around the room.
Plus, if you want to hide the camera when you’re in private, you can just slide a block in front of it easily – privacy is a built-in assumption for the Portal range.
These deals are marked as time limited on Amazon, so there’s no telling how long they last for (just don’t dilly dally).
UK Facebok Portal deals
We’ve found a number of deals on the Facebook Portal devices in the UK as well.
Facebook Portal TV – now 47% save £ 79
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With the excellent Facebook portal TV, you can turn your entire television into a video calling device and now even cheaper with this Black Friday discount.
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Facebook portal – save 90 €, now 79 €
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The 10-inch version of Facebook Portal now has a nice discount for Black Friday. At this size, it’s an excellent digital picture frame and device for keeping in touch with family. For only 79 €!
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Facebook Portal Plus – now £ 170 save £ 99
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The largest portal in the series offers a 15.6-inch screen, which is ideal for making phone calls with family and friends. It’s also even more attractive with this Black Friday discount that drops £ 170 off the usual price.
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More early Black Friday offers
• Fire TV Stick 4K: 50% off at $ 24.99
• Kindle Paperwhite: Save 47% now £79.99
• Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Doorbell: 33% off at £ 169.99
• Xiaomi Mi 11: £ 200 off and £ 549
• HUAWEI WATCH GT 2 Pro: £75 off £179.99
• Amazon Blink Mini: Save 33%, now £19.99
Writing from Rob Kerr. Editing by Adrian Willings. Originally) released on .
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