Facebook’s new ‘Ripley’ is a camera-equipped device compatible with TV
Facebook, social media giant is working on a Camera-equipped device, which is targeted to be paired with the TV to provide, Video chat facilities & allow content to be streamed on bigger, more like the Screen-Mirroring device but with a camera.
Internally codenamed “Ripley”, the device would use #ArtificialIntelligence to automatically detect and follow people as they move through the frame during a video call https://t.co/wm7ZA8J4fD
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) October 17, 2018
The device, according to people familiar with Facebook’s hardware activities, has been codenamed “Ripley” and is still in the works.
Portal’s experience with Ripley
The new device in development would use the same technology as Facebook’s recently introduced ‘Portal‘ – a video chatting device. Sources said while speaking to Cheddar.
It will provide content streaming services via Facebook Watch. On a more interesting note, will transform the TV into a big-screen video calling device.
First there was Portal, now Ripley: new findings suggest Facebook is working on a camera TV set-top box, possibly set to launch this spring. https://t.co/maoNcJdO8o
— Shelly Palmer (@shellypalmer) October 16, 2018
This could give Facebook an edge over other rivals in the same segment, including Amazon and Google.
No news as of yet on the release
As Facebook’s spokesperson denied any comment on the matter, there’s not much to know about the TV device.
However, the sources have noted the company is planning a launch for Spring 2019.
With that, they added the device is still in the development, which means the timeline is flexible and can change in the future.
Amid all the recent Privacy Intrusion from Facebook & lawsuits, would one require it?
The idea of a content streaming TV set-top box with video calling capabilities sounds interesting. But, considering its Facebook, many, including us, would have a fair share of doubt.
Facebook is coming for your TV next, with a set-top box codenamed ‘Ripley’ https://t.co/I9eF5CHmG4 pic.twitter.com/OT3OlPQOOv
— BGR (@BGR) October 17, 2018
The company has unraveled a series of privacy scandals off-late – most recently a massive data breach – and it could be hard to persuade people to get another Facebook-built camera into their living rooms.