In Pics: Facebook introduces Portal smart speakers with a camera on it; raises privacy concerns

To start the call, all it takes is: "Hey Portal." During calls, it can also play music on Spotify or videos from Facebook Watch, as well as tell children stories via augmented effects app Story Time. Portal runs on the open-source version of Google's Android mobile operating system, similar to many Amazon devices. (Image: Reuters)

Portal offers hands-free voice control and also has Amazon Alexa built in, so you have access to a voice experience to ask for sports scores, check the weather, control smart home devices, order groceries, and more. (Image: Reuters)

You can call Facebook friends and connections on Messenger even if they don’t have Portal. Calls can be made to and from Messenger-enabled smartphones and tablets. Portal supports group calls of up to seven people at the same time. Calls will be encrypted, and the AI technology runs locally on Portal, not on Facebook servers, with it only sending voice commands to the servers after hearing, "Hey Portal". (Image: Facebook)

With Portal, you can completely disable the camera and microphone with a single tap. Portal and Portal+ also come with a camera cover, so you can block your camera’s lens at any time and still receive incoming calls and notifications, plus use voice commands. To manage Portal access within your home, you can set a four- to 12-digit passcode to keep the screen locked. However, changing the passcode requires your Facebook password. (Image: Reuters)

Although the social media giant acquired virtual reality headset manufacturer Oculus in 2014, this is the first time it has developed a consumer hardware product in-house. The company mentioned that it doesn’t listen to, view, or keep the contents of your Portal video calls. Portal conversations stay between the user and the people on the other end of the call. In addition, video calls on Portal are encrypted. (Image: Facebook)