How it started:
- “hey portal, call my kids” and it shows up on the fucking TV. That’s the workflow. It lights the TV, switches inputs and starts a call. Boom.
- microphone array works from everywhere
- digital-ptz camera was game-changing
- "hey portal, answer call" when the TV was off would light the TV, select the right HDMI and start the call. The workflow again was a single command.
- setup: plug in HDMI, plug in power . Use QR to auth the unit to your account.
- it was loss-leadered at like $100, which is why we outfitted the entire family during covid for the cost of a single tablet.
How it’s going:
- the M agent is dead, so its voice control for calling no longer works.
- the Alexa link is dead, so it no longer works as an Alexa agent for home control
- the streamer apps are dead, so it can’t do Netflix, britbox, prime, etc
- zoom is too weird to set up with the remote, so no zoom
- video works
- Cam still crushes it
- sound still rocks
- poking the remote HDMI-CECs over to the portal still, like what voice commands did
But it still - and here’s the thing - is a single set-top appliance with an easy UI and controller that puts video chat on the damned TV
Grandma can no longer use her voice, but she can use the tivo-style remote to start calls. And, again, they’re on this gorgeous big screen so nana can see everyone.
I simply cannot describe the difference between a phone, even a tablet, and a monster fucking TV image to make you feel really connected with people of normal size. I’d say it again if I thought it’d make a difference.