Author: Oladapo Olagoke

• Giant social media platform Facebook Inc. finally launches its video chat device called Portal.
• Portal is equipped with a camera to watch every home and get into users intimate spaces.

Facebook Inc. the popular social media giant has finally released its video chat device called Portal into the market. The first announcement about this device was made in August 2017 when Facebook revealed that it was working on a video chat device for homes.

Earlier this year, the tech company said that it would name the device ‘Portal’ and it would help in the creation of its voice-activated speakers, very similar to iPhone’s Siri.

Unveiling Facebook’s Portal

Facebook Inc. on Monday, October 8, officially launched its new video chat device for homes, Portal. The social media company stated that the device is equipped with cameras to track every movement and would be in intimate spaces, such as the living rooms and kitchens.

However, Portal’s ability to track moments in every home has raised lots of questions for Facebook Inc., who was recently caught in a series of privacy scandals.

After countless data breaches, many users won’t be receptive to the idea of a monitoring Facebook camera in their living rooms. Amazon and Google had released a similar device but none of them added a monitoring function to their products. However, the social media giant stated that its device is as un-creepy as possible. And as long as Facebook says it, that means it must be true.

During Portal’s demonstration in San Francisco, Rafa Camargo, a Facebook executive, stated that the tracking camera was fitted only to capture a user’s position correctly. So that during a video call, users can move around hands-free.

He added that both the camera and microphone on the device can be turned off so that there wouldn’t be any way to record videos in case users are particular about privacy issues. He also stated that the processing of users’ voice commands takes place in the device, and not in the Facebook data center. Rafa said:

“Privacy is very, very, very important. We really made a conscious choice of not recording, so you have peace of mind. If users don’t trust the off switch for the camera, there’s a small plastic cover they can slide over the lens when it’s not in use.”

While some users may be placated by Camargo’s use of the word “very” three times, others will remain unconvinced.

2 Variants of the Video Chat Device

The video chat device comes in two variants – Portal and Portal+. Both have similar functions, such as the ability to listen to music, make video chats, which can integrate with music-streaming apps like Pandora and Spotify, view pictures and watch videos from some selected applications, and video conferencing with as many as six people at once.

However, both differ in screen size and sound quality. Portal has a 10-inch screen size and sits horizontally, it is very similar to Amazon’s Echo Show. While Portal+ has a 15-inch screen size that can display in both portrait or horizontal mode. Portal costs $199, while Portal+ costs $349. But according to Facebook, there would be a $100 discount for a user who decides to buy the two at the same time.

Both devices are controlled mostly by voice. So saying “Hey Portal” activates the video chats. Presently, the devices are using Amazon’s digital assistant, Alexa. Hence, users would say “Alexa” for more advanced functions.

Facebook added that users can use the device to hold calls with other Portal users as well as Facebook’s Messenger app on both desktop and smart devices. Though there is no ability to dial a regular phone number on the device yet.

The social media company concluded by saying that very soon, it will release tools for third-party developers to develop apps for the video chat device. Portal may be a good device for some home users, but the thought of Facebook’s prying eyes inside their homes may keep other away. And also raise the question–do we really need Facebook in our homes?

Featured Image from Shutterstock.

Amazon Inc. has raised the minimum wage of all its U.S. employees to $15/hour amidst criticism.

The announcement was made on Tuesday 2nd October by Amazon. Starting from next month, 1st November, 2018, all U.S. employees will enjoy an increase in their minimum wage to $15/hour.

According to Amazon, the new minimum wage will benefit nothing less than 250,000 Amazon U.S. workers, which include both part-time and temporary employees, and also another 100,000 seasonal workers. The company added that those workers who already make $15/hour will as well experience an increase in wages.

In the announcement, Amazon revealed that the increase in wages will be reflected in its progressive quarterly guidance. Prior to the increment in wages, Amazon and its CEO, Jeff Bezos, have been facing serious criticism due to its disparity in payment. Last month, Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a legislation known as the Bezos Act to tax corporations for every dollar that their low-wage workers receive in government health-care benefits or food stamps.

Amazon is worth $1 TRILLION.

Jeff Bezos is worth $155 BILLION.

Thousands of Amazon workers have to rely on food stamps, Medicaid and public housing to survive.

That is what a rigged economy looks like. Tomorrow we will introduce a bill to end subsidies for low-wage employers. https://t.co/jYQrtYbwZL

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) September 4, 2018

Amazon’s payment to its workers varies by location. For instance, Amazon pays $10/per hour at its warehouse in Austin, Texas, but $13.50/hour in Robbinsville, New Jersey. In 2017, according to Amazon’s filings, the median Amazon employee earned just under $28,500. Bezos earned $1.7 million. According to Bezos:

“We listened to our critics, thought hard about what we wanted to do, and decided we want to lead,” Bezos said in a statement. “We’re excited about this change and encourage our competitors and other large employers to join us.”

According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the U.S. federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour presently, while the present average hourly earnings for retail sector workers is $13.20. This action does not only place pressure on Amazon, but also on Target, Costco, and Walmart. All of them have declared their intention to increase the minimum wages for low paid employees.

Target, one of Amazon’s retail rival announced in a press release towards its holiday hiring that it would increase minimum wage of employees to $15/hour by 2020. Whereas, Walmart stated that it has plans to raise its minimum wage to $11/hour next January.

Amazon added that it will also start pressing for an increment to the federal minimum wage. The company also said it would raise the minimum wages for British workers to at least £10.50 ($13.61) for London workers and £9.50 ($12.31) for other employees in the country.

Jay Carney, Amazon’s spokesman, said:

“We will be working to gain congressional support for an increase in the federal minimum wage. The current rate of $7.25 was set nearly a decade ago.”

This announcement is made prior to Amazon’s annual holiday hiring push. Amazon stated last year that it would employ about 120,000 temporary employees for the holiday season.

Jeff Bezos is the founder of Amazon, and currently the richest man in the world, with an estimated fortune of $150 billion. With this action, it seems Amazon is trying to make moves to lure employees in its crucial lead up to the holiday shopping season.

Featured image from Shutterstock.