Meta Portal - Smart Video Calling 10 Inch Display - Black

I was a little concerned at some of the negative reviews as I am not that tech savvy. I found the portal very easy to set up , you didn’t need a lot of instructions as some reviews were critical of. Opened a Facebook account got relatives to request as a friend , accepted them and that was it . It was for us that simple . Calls are so clear visually and audibly it’s fabulous . It’s great so glad we made this purchase , we bought for an elderly relative and the Carers do have to accept the call for them by touching the screen but relative can be left chatting to us and when when the call is over we hang up and the call ends on the portal without our relative having to do anything . Very positive experience .

I bought the 10" Portal - I'll get the pro's out of the way cos theres not many! Pros: - The front looks gorgeous with a large vibrant screen and hidden speakers with easily accessible buttons for volume and mic/cam. - video quality is good and does track quite well - audio is very clear and loud - "Hey Portal" works well... and with "Alexa" you have more options and features - the web browser is decent Cons: - there are very few apps... in fact, it gets around this by using the web browser - which works with some services but not all (disney plus, and netflix wont work) - Netflix is advertised... i didn't realise until after i brought it that in the very tiny print that is nearly impossible to read it states "only on portal TV" - Theres no Amazon music app... you need Alexa installed and can only play amazon music by asking alexa (so forget about browsing or using the screen to select albums playlists) - Hey Portal will not control any Alexa linked stuff (so you are switching between two assistants) - It clearly advertises Amazon Video Prime... what it doesnt say is this is via the browser...the same with youtube. - You can't link a number to call phones... it is literally messenger or WhatsApp (when it's connected) - no proper clock feature... seems odd that you have no clock mode - i dont always want to display my photos - the stand is a stick with the cable built in - break the stand, you need to buy a new cable as well. All in all it looks nice and on paper seemed very promising... but this is just a very expensive glorified digital picture frame with a camera and a web browser. The amazon echo does so much more for less... granted, their 10" is a lot more because it has all the fancy features... but their 8" is still far better than this Portal. Let's just say, due to the misleading information, missing advertised features, and how bad it is - it's going back I was willing to overlook Facebook security issues - but this just isnt worth the money... maybe in a year's time i'll consider it - but it really needs proper built in apps and features - you can't advertise something thats halfbaked or available via a web browsers

This device has been brilliant for connecting me to young children in my family who I haven’t been able to see over lockdown. The story telling is brilliant at engaging children and the special effects make them smile. Downside is that it is not wireless so moving from room to room and staying connected whilst you do some chores is difficult. There also is a delay on the story telling. It took a few calls to connect to each person. I was contacting but it seems to learn as it goes. The facility to call several people to join the portal call is good and when you are not calling people it displays your photos which is lovely. There are other facilities on it that I have not tried yet. You do need a Facebook or a what’s app account to use it. Recommend.

I took a ‘Black Friday’ punt on this with the sole aim of having a more comfortable means of talking to my elderly parents. It is easy to set up (I’m not very tech -savvy) with simple step by step instructions on the screen. I’m confident my parents will be able to set theirs up with minimal help (fingers crossed) when I eventually get theirs to them. The camera is great as is the sound quality and it’s nice for my parents to be able to see all of us at once (which is trickier using a mobile phone). Having Alexa incorporated is an added bonus. I am not on Facebook and only use it for WhatsApp calls but all good so far. I have the 10 inch screen which is great but not sure I’d pay the full £170 price tag for it.

I bought this as an alternative to using Zoom/Teams on the world's slowest desktop, a laptop with a stupidly positioned webcam, or my iPad. Use of both platforms has been glitch free so far, which cannot be said of the other equipment. Easy to set up - my work Outlook calendar appeared as if by magic, giving a single click to access meetings. Picture image much superior as well, at least I no longer routinely look as though I've just been dug up. Point off for very limited abilities to work Spotify. I have a premium account and it's all synched up OK but fiddling and internet searching has drawn a blank regarding any capability to search fully, find new music etc. Instead I've just been able to access playlists etc already saved. I'm not a hi-fi nut or anyone who knows anything about the quality of speakers or anything but I'm perfectly happy with the quality and volume of playback.

I'd like to thank Mark Zuckerberg for this fantastic device! It makes long-distance become very closer!

Easy to setup and sound is good. This is a value for money!!!

So easy to use, clear and perfect. Brings your distant family right into your living room. Calls connect without any problems, and links instantly with all my apps. Can't understand why it's so unknown. Most people have no idea what you are talking about. I bought several for my relatives, and they were enthralled. It's cheaper than an electronic picture frame - but has so many more functions - including showing your pictures. Just another perfect device from Facebook!

I bought this for my Grandparents easing into technology, and living states away. My Grandma's quote, "I feel like I'm in your living room!" Now they're calling everyone in their contact list. They have only spoken to their grandson once or twice a year due to time difference and limited technology, now they have a way to call whenever they want. The Portal opened up a new world for them.

Product suddenly stopped working within one year of use.