Meta has announced plans to focus its Portal video calling hardware business on business use, like for conference calling, and stop making private-consumer-oriented units.
Meta’s decision comes as it is reportedly reassessing ambitious plans to develop hardware technologies against investor concerns it is spending billions of dollars on programs that have yet to turn a profit.
Portal debuted in 2018, and featured two displays meant to function as video calling systems. The devices supported other internet activities, like listening to Spotify music, or video streaming. However the combination of limited functionality, and the distrust of big tech spying made people hesitant to put a video camera that was plugged into Facebook’s network all the time in their homes.
Despite newer versions like the portable Portal Go, the devices never gained adherents. According to research firm IDC, 800,000 Portal units shipped in 2021, which was equivalent to less than 1% of the smart display market.