On Thursday,LelleBelle Meta, Inc. announced that its video chat device Portal(previously the Facebook Portal) will support an app for live American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services.
That means people who are "Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, Speech-Disabled or have hearing loss" will be able to use Portal for video chats with people who do not communicate in ASL, via a live human interpreter. That's called a Video Relay Service (VRS).
Portal will now support a VRS app from ZP Better Together, LLC. The app is free for all users — it's actually funded by the FCC! And while other devices, like an iPad, can support some VRS apps, members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community can apply for a free Portal through ZP Better Together's website.
"The combination of ZP's apps and video relay service with the Portal's AI-powered Smart Camera that automatically keeps people in frame is game-changing," Meta's Head of Accessibility Mike Shebanek said in a statement. "It delivers simplicity, connectivity, and the freedom to move and communicate using both hands."
SEE ALSO: 4 ways mobile apps could be a lot more accessiblePortal is the video chat device the company formerly known as Facebook debuted at the inopportune moment that it began facing privacy scandalafter scandal— which made it basically drop like a rock. Even if Facebook wanting to sell customers on having a camera in their homes is a tough pill to swallow, some credit where credit's due: It was the first device that would "follow" a speaker in a video chat as they moved.
Other companies, like Amazon, have since integrated that feature into their video chat devices. So any edge the Portal had with people who want to move around while they video chat pretty quickly dissipated.
That's all made the Portal a somewhat minor player in the device wars. Even so, more accessibility is a win all around.
Topics Facebook Meta Accessibility
Meta continues its submission to Trump with new advisor on its board
Netflix is removing written user reviews
Somebody bid $15k on a bottle signed by water
New 'Fortnite' hack hits cheaters with dangerous malware
NYT Strands hints, answers for May 5
All the best apps of 2018. (So far.)
Jon Snow thinks men also face sexism in Hollywood
MoviePass launches surge pricing and ugh, it's higher than expected
Ireland fines TikTok $600 million for sharing user data with China
Watch the exact moment the whole UK erupts in World Cup jubilation at England's win
Best soundbar deal: Save $300 on the Sonos Arc
Apple will reportedly have new color options for the 2018 iPhones
Artist turns Indian Tinder experiences into beautiful drawings
New 'Fortnite' hack hits cheaters with dangerous malware
Alienware M16 Gaming Laptop deal: Save $560
Super pretty photos of 4th of July fireworks displays across the U.S.
Sony mistakenly uploads entire movie on YouTube for free
Keri Russell may be joining the cast of 'Star Wars: Episode IX'
Today's Hurdle hints and answers for April 17, 2025
America's most hated man endorses its most hated presidential candidate
Little kid aims his pro stink eye at a chip thiefHere's a device that make dads feel pregnant. Hey, why are you running away? Come baaaack!5 Lego sets that should exist if there's any good in the worldA member of Trump's cabinet rocked slippers that cost at least $495 because why not?Mom taking a secret selfie gets caught in the act by her nosey daughterThe cutest greatThose Peeps Oreos are apparently turning tongues (and other stuff) hot pinkDon't get too excited about the possibility of "President Oprah"Fun dad allows family dog to get a very unfortunate haircutApple patent describes iPhone design with retractable screen'Moonlight' director reveals powerful speech he wanted to deliver at OscarsBlind: The hot app where all the best Silicon Valley gossip is read right nowNintendo Switch cartridges taste disgusting but that's not stopping anybodyClippy is back, and this time it's coming for your browserCelebrate the northern lights in the UK with these beautiful imagesEvan Spiegel has already made $1.5 billion off Snapchat's IPODev Patel has a girlfriend and everyone feels personally victimisedNintendo Switch brings back the widely reviled Friend CodesThis photographer is documenting the resistance — and donating the picturesThose Peeps Oreos are apparently turning tongues (and other stuff) hot pink Volkswagen, CATL extend partnership to develop EVs with swappable batteries · TechNode China’s legacy automaker warns of profit plunge amid price war · TechNode China’s Lunar New Year box office tops $390 million on second day of holiday · TechNode DeepSeek limits registrations amid large TSMC announces additional $100 billion investment in US chip expansion · TechNode Tencent and 2K team up to launch mobile game NBA 2K All Star on March 25 · TechNode TikTok announces restoration of US services · TechNode Chinese AI startup Zhipu secures over $140 million in new strategic funding · TechNode DeepSeek announces open Xiaomi to invest $4.2 billion in R&D development in 2025 · TechNode Tencent’s Supercell earned nearly $3 billion in 2024, up 77% y 51job to IPO in Hong Kong in first half of 2025, with over 200 million users · TechNode China’s Geely reportedly set to make and sell vehicles with Renault in Brazil · TechNode Xiaohongshu’s US user base plummets amid TikTok ban suspension · TechNode Chinese lidar sensors are enabling autonomous driving in BMW plants · TechNode Xiaomi PR chief says Xiaomi Glasses Weibo account was registered years ago · TechNode Baidu Search integrates DeepSeek and Large Model ERNIE for advanced search · TechNode Former Cainiao Group CFO joins Ant Group as new CFO · TechNode Global foundry industry revenue expected to grow 20% this year · TechNode Famous Chinese actor Hu Ge becomes Volvo brand ambassador · TechNode